All Iranian flights to Europe halted following EU sanctions

Iran Air, the only Iranian airline operating flights to European Union countries, has suspended its services to Europe due to new sanctions imposed by the bloc, Iranian authorities announced on Tuesday.

"Iran Air was the only airline in our country flying to Europe, and considering the new sanctions of the European Union against Iran Air, not a single Iranian airplane will fly to Europe now," said Maqsood Asadi Samani, Director of the Association of Iranian Airlines.

On Monday, the European Union introduced sanctions targeting Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines. The sanctions also covered various industrial and transport companies as well as related officials, businessmen and military personnel.

The United States and Western allies accuse Iran of using its civilian air fleet to transfer missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine - charges Tehran denies.

Asadi Samani said there had been significant demand for flights from Iran to European destinations which will now likely now be met by foreign airlines.

"Flights to Europe in this situation will probably be made through connecting flights in intermediate countries, such as Turkey and the UAE," he said, adding that passengers from Iran will now have to rely on such routes to reach Europe.

Jafar Yazerloo, the spokesperson for the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, said Iran Air proactively suspended the flights to avoid the consequences of not being allowed to land at European airports and to prevent passengers from being stranded both inside and outside of Iran.

Yazerloo also noted that efforts are underway through diplomatic channels and other relevant organizations to find alternatives for passengers affected by the sanctions.

The European sanctions against Iran’s civil aviation industry are particularly significant, as Iran Air reportedly operates an average of 24 weekly flights each way to at least nine European cities, including Paris, London, Frankfurt, and Rome, according to information obtained by Aviacionline via Cirium.

Last month, the United States sanctioned Iran Air after accusing Tehran of supplying Russia with short-range ballistic missiles. The US Treasury accused Iran Air of having transported goods "on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)."

Iran has been deeply involved in Russia’s war effort in Ukraine since mid-2022, providing drones, spare parts and training. However, the provision of missiles is viewed by Western powers as a significant escalation warranting a strong response.