On Tuesday, Iraq unexpectedly banned the entry of the aircraft carrying Iran's national football team to Basra Airport due to U.S. sanctions. This decision was made by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, and as a result, the plane returned to Iran and landed at Abadan Airport.
Impact of Sanctions on Iranian Flights
According to an Iranian consulate official in Basra, the Iranian national team, which had traveled to Iraq to participate in a four-nation tournament, is now forced to travel to Basra by land. This tournament also includes teams from Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine.
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Iraqi aviation officials stated that this decision was made due to concerns about a potential violation of U.S. sanctions against Iranian airlines. The United States announced on September 23 sanctions against any global company that collaborates with Iranian airlines, aiming to halt Iran's civilian air fleet worldwide.
Consequences of U.S. Sanctions
In September, Iraq also halted Iranian flights to Baghdad Airport due to U.S. threats of secondary sanctions against airports and service providers to Iranian airlines. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basset warned that airports serving Iranian airlines may face sanctions that include being expelled from the U.S. dollar system.
This warning is part of a broader effort to tighten restrictions on Iran's transportation sector and on foreign entities that provide services to Iranian airlines. These measures affect not only the operations of Iranian airlines but also the country's trade and sports relations with other countries.
These events reflect the increasing impacts of U.S. sanctions on Iran's air fleet and operations in Iraq, creating new challenges for the country, especially in the context of sports and cultural events.
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