Iran is threatening to disrupt operations at international airports across neighboring countries if they cooperate with the United States and halt Iranian flights, Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters.
1+According to the report, Rezaei cautioned that if regional nations yield to mounting American pressure and prevent Iranian airlines from operating within their airspace and terminals, Tehran will take direct action to ensure that their airports are likewise incapacitated.
The threat unfolds against the backdrop of Washington’s intensifying squeeze on Iranian aviation. Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that beginning September 23, Iranian carriers will face aggressive secondary sanctions targeting any international entity providing them with operational aviation services.
1+Under the U.S. sanctions regime, service providers that continue to refuel Iranian commercial planes, provide ground handling, or process ticketing services risk complete exclusion from the global US dollar financial network.
Rezaei’s belligerent remarks come amid mounting regional isolation for Iranian commercial aviation, coming hours after Iraq ordered the suspension of all Iranian flights to Baghdad International Airport to avoid US sanctions enforcement.