The European Union’s newly imposed sanctions on Iranian airlines have led to the immediate cancellation of flights to European destinations, including those operated by Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines. These sanctions were implemented in response to Iran’s role in providing missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.
According to domestic media reports in Iran, just hours after the EU’s announcement, passengers scheduled to fly with Iran Air, Mahan, and Saha received cancellation notices via SMS from Imam Khomeini Airport. The European Union’s sanctions, issued on Monday, specifically targeted the three airlines for their involvement in transferring missiles and drones to Russia.
Flight Disruptions and Passenger Impact
A review of the flight schedule at Imam Khomeini Airport showed that Iran Air flights to European cities such as Paris, Cologne, and London scheduled for Tuesday were promptly canceled. Despite this, online ticket sales for flights to and from European destinations continued for the following days without any official explanation from the airlines.
In contrast, several airline ticketing websites quickly began promoting alternative flight routes, offering passengers indirect travel options. Iranian travelers now face the inconvenience of two-stop flights, as direct travel between Iran and Europe with domestic airlines is no longer possible. This disruption is particularly troublesome for elderly and sick passengers, who had previously preferred direct flights to avoid the long delays and stopovers that come with layovers at other airports.
EU’s Justification for Sanctions
In its official statement, the European Union confirmed that Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines had been facilitating the transport of missiles and drones manufactured by the Iranian regime to Russia. These weapons have been used in Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, further escalating the conflict.
While the EU’s sanctions were newly applied, Iran Air had already been under sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany for its involvement in delivering ballistic missiles to Russia. The EU emphasized that these measures are intended to prevent Iran from continuing to support Russia’s war efforts, highlighting the severe financial and psychological burden now being placed on the Iranian public as a result of these flight cancellations.
Iranian Denials and Western Allegations
Iranian officials have consistently denied any direct involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, intelligence estimates from Western nations suggest otherwise. According to these reports, the Iranian regime has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, with Western sources claiming to possess evidence supporting these allegations.
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, recently confirmed the transfer of Iranian-made missiles to Russia, describing it as a threat to European security. Borrell stated that Moscow has been using Iranian drones and ammunition in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his first press conference, implicitly acknowledged the missile transfers, though he stressed that such actions did not occur during his time in office. He stopped short of providing further details, merely referring to “exchanges” that took place in the past.
Conclusion
The EU’s sanctions against Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines mark a significant escalation in the West’s efforts to curb Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. As flights to Europe are canceled, Iranian passengers face increasing travel challenges, while the regime’s support for Russia draws further international condemnation. The sanctions reflect growing concerns in Europe about the impact of Iran’s military support for Russia, which is seen as exacerbating both the Ukraine war and broader geopolitical tensions.
Source » irannewsupdate