Iran appears to have threatened to strike airports in neighbouring countries if they “cooperate” with the US. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the stark warning as Washington ramps up pressure on countries to stop servicing Iranian airlines.
In comments reported by Iranian media, Mr Rezaei warned neighbouring countries: “If you ban our flights and cooperate with the US, your airports will see no flights.” He added: “If you side with the US, we will not stand by and watch.” Reuters separately reported that Mr Rezaei told Iranian state television on Wednesday that if neighbouring countries cooperate with the US by stopping Iranian flights, Iran would ensure their airports “cannot function”. He also warned neighbouring countries not to interfere with Iranian flights or become caught up in what he described as “America’s game”.
According to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, Mr Rezaei said: “If they intervene, we will restrict the operation of aircraft from neighboring countries that cooperate with the United States.”
The warning comes as new US measures targeting Iran’s aviation sector take effect on Wednesday, September 23.
Earlier this month, the US Treasury sanctioned 36 targets it said were supporting Iran’s aviation sector, including foreign intermediaries and companies providing services to Iranian carriers.
The Treasury said the action targeted all remaining active Iranian airlines and warned foreign firms helping sanctioned carriers that they could face consequences of their own.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that Iranian airlines would be forced to stop operating internationally through the threat of secondary sanctions on air service providers.
He told CNBC: “If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system.”
The pressure has already begun disrupting Iranian international flights, with services from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat cancelled.
Iraq ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights to Baghdad from Wednesday, two sources told Reuters.
Iranian authorities have also held discussions over potentially diverting Baghdad-bound services to Najaf, while talks with Oman have taken place.
Other international services, including flights to Istanbul, had been expected to continue according to schedule.
He added: “Our position remains unchanged, and the new diplomacy we have chosen will continue forcefully.”