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Iran Protests US Flight Sanctions to UN Aviation Watchdog, Pursues Legal Action
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News18•28-09-2026, 19:30
Iran Protests US Flight Sanctions to UN Aviation Watchdog, Pursues Legal Action
- •Iran's Civil Aviation Organization filed a formal protest with the ICAO against US restrictions on Iranian aviation, seeking to restore suspended flight routes.
- •The Iranian organization, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, is using all legal avenues to remove barriers and resume previously operational flight routes.
- •Iran also filed a complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague over attacks on airports, aircraft, and radars, with ICAO ruling in Iran's favor on a separate matter.
- •The diplomatic and legal actions follow sweeping US sanctions announced on September 8, targeting Iran's aviation sector and 27 Iranian airlines.
- •The US Treasury stated the sanctions were part of "Operation Economic Outcast" to disrupt Iran's alleged use of the aviation sector for moving weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
Key Questions Answered
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization filed a formal protest with the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over US aviation restrictions and also filed a complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding attacks on airports, aircraft, and radars.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 36 targets supporting Iran's aviation sector, which notably included 27 Iranian airlines, as part of 'Operation Economic Outcast'.
Since direct flights to Europe and regional capitals like Baghdad and Muscat faced strict disruptions and cancellations, Iran has relied heavily on connecting services through regional airports such as Istanbul.
