Iran protests US flight blockade to international aviation authorities

Tehran (ANTARA) - Iran’s civil aviation authority has intensified its diplomatic and legal efforts to restore flights suspended due to pressure from the United States, including lodging an official protest with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Speaking to the IRNA news agency on Monday, the head of Iran’s civil aviation authority, Abuzar Shiroudi, stated that they are continuing to coordinate with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to undertake all necessary legal steps to remove all flight obstacles and restore services.

He confirmed that an official protest regarding the flight restrictions imposed by the US has been submitted to the ICAO, accompanied by supporting documents detailing the flight disruptions experienced.

Since the restrictions on direct flights to Europe were implemented, several airports in the region, including Istanbul, have served as alternative transit points for flight services from Iran to Europe.

Shiroudi noted that Iran has also filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, following attacks on airports, aircraft, and radar systems.

He stated that the ICAO has granted Iran’s protest, while the legal process in The Hague is still ongoing, with the value of compensation to be determined by the court.

The Iranian civil aviation official added that Tehran continues to work towards restoring flights to several countries where services were previously halted and is seeking explanations through diplomatic channels regarding these matters.

Regarding airports in Baghdad and Najaf, Iraq, Shiroudi confirmed that Iraqi authorities have committed to restoring flights to Iran, with flights to and from Najaf expected to resume within the coming days.