Iran appears to have threatened to strike airports in neighbouring countries if they “cooperate” with the US. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the stark warning as Washington ramps up pressure on countries to stop servicing Iranian airlines.
In comments reported by Iranian media, Mr Rezaei warned neighbouring countries: “If you ban our flights and cooperate with the US, your airports will see no flights.” He added: “If you side with the US, we will not stand by and watch.” Reuters separately reported that Mr Rezaei told Iranian state television on Wednesday that if neighbouring countries cooperate with the US by stopping Iranian flights, Iran would ensure their airports “cannot function”. The warning comes as new US measures targeting Iran’s aviation sector take effect on Wednesday, September 23.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would effectively be forced to stop operating internationally through the threat of secondary sanctions against companies providing aviation services.
The impact is already being felt with Iranian flights to Baghdad and Muscat cancelled after authorities said the two airports would stop accepting Iranian services.
Iranian aviation authorities have been holding talks over potentially diverting Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf, while negotiations with Oman have also been taking place.