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Iran condemns US aviation sanctions as worrying move
Iran’s Human Rights Headquarters condemned US aviation sanctions against the country, saying restrictions on access to services, equipment, spare parts and technical capabilities needed for civil aviation raise concerns from a human rights and international law perspective.
In a statement, the headquarters said civil aviation was not merely an economic or commercial activity, but an area directly linked to the safety, health and lives of people.
It said the measures were concerning from the perspective of human rights, international law and the principles governing the international civil aviation system.
Back on Sept. 8, the US Department of the Treasury announced that it had targeted a number of individuals, companies and networks linked to Iran’s aviation sector as part of its sanctions measures. According to the US side, the scope of the action also includes foreign individuals and intermediaries, as well as networks involved in supplying aircraft, technology and services needed by Iran’s aviation industry.
The United States has imposed restrictions on the entire aviation industry in Iran and vowed to take a hard line against companies that assist it.
As the sanctions took effect last Wednesday, major airlines were forced to cancel international flights after several countries implemented bans.
Iran has lodged a complaint with the United Nations over the US sanctions against its aviation sector.
“To defend the legitimate rights of the aviation industry and counter illegal restrictions imposed by America, Iran has drafted and submitted a formal protest to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” said civil aviation chief Abouzar Shiroudi, according to IRNA.
The ICAO is a UN agency based in Montreal, Canada that sets and regulates standards for civil aviation.
“In cooperation with the foreign ministry, we have also filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice at The Hague,” Shiroudi added.
For Iranians wishing to enter or exit their country, destinations in neighboring Turkey are now the primary options for flights.
Routes also remain available to Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Russia, Malaysia and Thailand, with flights to the United Arab Emirates suspended.