Iran Files ICAO Complaint Over US Restrictions on Aviation

Iran has lodged a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding U.S. restrictions impacting its aviation sector, while simultaneously engaging in diplomatic and legal actions to resume suspended flights and routes. Iranian Civil Aviation Organization chief Abuzar Shiroudi disclosed this information to the official IRNA news agency on Monday, stating that Tehran had submitted documentation outlining the disruptions and was working with the Foreign Ministry to seek legal remedies to overturn these restrictions.

Direct flights to European nations have been under restrictions, leading travelers to utilize regional hubs, notably Istanbul, as intermediate stops for flights heading to Europe, according to Shiroudi. Additionally, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates have temporarily halted flights to and from Iran in response to new U.S. sanctions specifically targeting Iran's aviation industry.

Shiroudi also revealed that Iran has initiated a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague following assaults on airports, aircraft, and radar systems. He confirmed that the ICAO had accepted Iran's complaint, although the legal proceedings at The Hague are still in progress. Furthermore, Iran is actively seeking to restore flights to several countries where services have been suspended and has requested explanations through diplomatic channels, as per Shiroudi's statement.

Previously, Iran and Iraq had deliberated on operating flights between Tehran and Najaf as an alternative to the Tehran-Baghdad route. However, these flights were subsequently canceled as well. Shiroudi revealed that Iraqi authorities had agreed to restart flights to Iran, with services to and from Najaf set to resume in the coming days.