World News
More Countries Close Their Airspace to Iran, as Tehran Warns: “If We Can’t Fly, No One Can”
Airports in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have suspended flights by Iranian airlines following U.S. sanctions. Tehran is threatening a response: “Air travel in the region will be open to everyone, or to no one.”
U.S. pressure on Iran’s aviation sector continues to spread across the region: Additional airports in Iraq suspended flights by Iranian airlines today (Friday), days after Baghdad took a similar step and after the United Arab Emirates made a parallel decision.
An Iraqi channel affiliated with the Iranian axis published footage of a Meraj airline plane that it said was forced to return empty to the city of Mashhad after management at Najaf Airport prevented passengers from boarding. Two sources told Reuters that airports in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, in Iraqi Kurdistan, also suspended Iranian airline flights starting today. In Baghdad, Iranian planes were barred from entering three days ago.
Iraqi parliament member Faleh al-Khazali criticized the move: “We hold the Iraqi government responsible for the financial losses caused to the country as a result of implementing U.S. Treasury Department decisions against Iranian aviation. This is causing financial losses to the country.”
The United Arab Emirates also announced yesterday that it was suspending Iranian airline flights to and from the country until further notice. The steps follow sanctions the U.S. Treasury Department imposed on September 8 on 36 entities connected to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 airlines.
The sanctions also threaten foreign companies that provide Iranian airlines with fueling, ground services, and landing access. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that continued assistance could lead to removal from the dollar system.
Tehran responded with threats. Mohsen Rezaei warned that “if neighboring countries cooperate with the United States to stop Iranian flights, their airports will not be able to operate.” Mohammad Mokhber added: “Aligning with the United States in implementing its hostile policy will remain etched in the memory of the Iranian nation.
“Our strategy in this regard is clear: Air travel in the region will be open to everyone, or to no one. If Iran is denied the ability to fly, no other country in the region will have that right.”
