Iran: complaint to ICAO and ICJ against US air sanctions

Iran has filed a complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after US sanctions against Iran's aviation sector led to the cancellation of numerous flights, state media reported on Monday. The United States placed Iran's entire aviation sector under sanctions in early September and vowed to be intractable towards foreign companies that provide assistance.

On Wednesday, the date they came into force, the main Iranian airlines were forced to cancel their international flights when the main regional services, including the Gulf countries, took ban measures. “Iran has... transmitted an official protest to the International Civil Aviation Organization in order to defend the legitimate rights of the aviation sector and counter the illegal restrictions imposed by the United States,” said the director of Iranian civil aviation, Abouzar Shiroudi.

ICAO, whose headquarters is located in Montreal, is a UN agency. “In consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have also filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague,” added Mr. Shiroudi, quoted by the government news agency Irna.

Neighboring Turkey currently remains the main option for Iranians who would like to leave Iran or return home, mainly via small Iranian companies. Connections with Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Russia, Malaysia and Thailand remain possible for the time being.