ALWAGHT- Iran’s flagship airline, Iran Air, has canceled all flights to European destinations following the EU's announcement of sanctions against the airline, alleging its involvement in Iran's purported supply of drones and missiles to Russia.
On Tuesday, the spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization announced the cancellation of Iran Air's flights to Europe. This decision aims to avoid potential inconveniences for passengers following the European Union's sanctions, which could include bans on landing at European airports.
Jafar Yazarlou criticized the sanctions, which also target Iran’s Mahan Air and Saha Airlines, as violations of international aviation regulations and treaties. He noted that Iranian civil aviation authorities are working with the Foreign Ministry and local airlines to facilitate travel for passengers heading to European destinations.
Iran Air has been operating flights to seven cities in the EU: Rome, Milan, Vienna, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Paris. It remains uncertain whether the cancellations will affect regular flights between Tehran and London.
The EU Council recently imposed sanctions on three Iranian airlines, four companies, and seven individuals, alleging their involvement in supplying missiles and drones to Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned these sanctions as based on "false and baseless pretexts," summoning the Hungarian ambassador to Tehran to convey Iran's strong protest and assert that the EU's actions are deemed illegal.