Iran has lodged a complaint with the United Nations over US sanctions targeting its aviation industry, saying the restrictions have disrupted international air services and forced airlines to cancel flights, state media reported Monday.
The US introduced sweeping measures against Iran’s aviation sector this month and warned that companies supporting the country’s airlines could also face penalties.
The restrictions came into force last Wednesday, prompting several countries to impose related flight bans and leaving major Iranian carriers unable to operate some international routes.
Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation chief Abouzar Shiroudi said Tehran had submitted a formal protest to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), seeking to defend the aviation sector’s legitimate rights.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Shiroudi said the complaint challenged unlawful US restrictions. He added that Iran, in coordination with its Foreign Ministry, had also filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
The ICAO, a UN agency headquartered in Montreal, establishes international standards and regulations governing civil aviation.
Following the restrictions, Turkey has emerged as a key transit option for Iranians travelling to and from the country. Iranian airlines also continue to operate flights to Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Russia, Malaysia and Thailand, while services to the United Arab Emirates have been suspended.
Dubai had previously served as one of the most important regional destinations for Iranian carriers, with multiple daily flights connecting Iran to the UAE. The city is also a major transit hub for onward travel to Europe, Asia and Africa.
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