Iran Denies Military Action in Response to Ban on Its Flights

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Iran has denied planning military movements in response to the restrictions imposed on its airlines, at a time when the list of countries that have stopped or suspended receiving Iranian aircraft is expanding, following new U.S. sanctions.

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council's secretariat stated today, Saturday, that the claim that Tehran would respond militarily to the recent air restrictions is "rejected."

It also confirmed that negotiations with the concerned countries to remove some "illegal" restrictions are ongoing, but it indicated that there are civil options that could be resorted to against some airports if necessary, according to what was reported by the IRNA agency.

Additionally, it denied interpretations and quotes from the statements of the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council regarding the air transport file, confirming that they are incorrect, after raising questions about the nature of the Iranian response.

The secretariat also confirmed that negotiations with the concerned countries "are ongoing and being followed up seriously," adding that Tehran hopes the matter does not reach the stage of implementing what it described as "civil solutions for retaliatory action" against some airports.

Iranian Supreme Leader's advisor, Mohammad Makbar, had confirmed that Tehran believes that the continuation of air traffic in the region should be available to all countries, warning that preventing Iran from operating its flights or benefiting from airport services would have repercussions on regional air traffic.

Makbar also clarified, in a post on the "X" platform yesterday, that the Iranian strategy is based on the principle that air travel in the region should be available to everyone or not available to any country. He added that if Iran cannot operate flights and obtain airport services, then other countries in the region will not be able to do so either, according to his statements.

These developments came after new restrictions on Iranian airlines came into effect with the expiration of a deadline related to U.S. sanctions, prompting several countries to stop or suspend receiving Iranian carriers.

The UAE announced the suspension of all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from its airports until further notice, marking the first major repercussions of the new U.S. sanctions, according to Reuters.

Iraq also halted Iranian flights at the four airports that were receiving them, namely Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah, after the restrictions began at Baghdad Airport before extending to other airports.

Oman, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan also joined the list of countries that imposed restrictions or suspended some Iranian flights.

The United States has expanded its sanctions on the Iranian aviation sector, as part of a policy targeting companies and entities dealing with Iranian carriers.

Washington confirmed that the sanctions target networks linked to the Iranian aviation sector, while the sanctions mechanism has put foreign companies and airports at risk of facing U.S. actions if they continue to provide services to Iranian carriers.

The repercussions of the sanctions have become evident on regional travel, as the restrictions have led to flight cancellations and rerouting, while some travelers have been forced to seek alternative ways to reach Iran and the region.