Iran submits an official complaint to ICAO and takes diplomatic action in response to the aviation sector restrictions

(CNN) - The head of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, Abuzar Shirodi, announced on Monday that the organization had held consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted an official complaint to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in response to what he described as “restrictions imposed on the Iranian aviation sector,” as part of its efforts to restart air routes.

He stressed, in statements reported by the official Iranian News Agency (IRNA), "the necessity of taking advantage of diplomatic and legal capabilities to safeguard the rights of the aviation sector in the country."

He added, "The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, using all legal tools and in close coordination with the country's diplomatic apparatus, places among its priorities the follow-up of the necessary measures to remove obstacles and resume all flights on routes that were previously operating."

Regarding the legal measures taken by the organization in response to external pressure, Shirodi said that an official protest was prepared in the name of the Islamic Republic of Iran and sent to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), “in defense of the legitimate rights of the aviation sector and confronting the illegal restrictions imposed by the United States.”

He explained that the correspondence included in detail aspects of Iran's protest, along with documents that he said prove that there has been a disruption in flight traffic.

Shirodi touched on the status of connecting flights, explaining that since the restrictions were imposed on direct flights to Europe, connecting flights through regional aviation hubs, including Istanbul, have been used as an alternative option, indicating that this route is still continuing.

Regarding some air routes that were temporarily suspended, the head of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said that “following up on the reopening and resumption of flights on those routes, which were stopped due to war conditions and special regional situations, is the organization’s top priority.”

Shirodi expressed his hope that "the situation will return to normal as tensions subside and in light of diplomatic interactions."

These statements follow a statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent to CNBC last Monday, in which he said that Iranian airlines will effectively be forced to stop their operations as of September 23, due to secondary sanctions imposed on aviation service providers.