The Iranian regime’s response to the recent sanctions on airlines, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha (the military air service), as well as other new sanctions, shows a shift from past reactions. These responses reveal fear and panic within the regime, along with signs of internal conflict.
Immediately after the sanctions were announced, the regime suspended its flights to Europe. The Secretary of the Airlines Association stated: “Due to the European sanctions, we will no longer have direct flights to European countries. All Iran Air flights to European destinations have been canceled” (ISNA, October 15).
The spokesperson for the government of Masoud Pezeshkian supported the decision, stating that if Iranian planes attempt to fly to Europe, they will either be denied landing rights or, if allowed to land, will be seized, preventing further flights.
Some regime-affiliated sources have highlighted the recent sanctions, stating: “In recent days, Western countries have initiated a series of actions focused on Iran, which merits consideration. The European Union, along with the UK, has issued a statement imposing sanctions specifically against Iranian airlines, citing Iran’s missile involvement in the Ukraine war and the ‘True Promise 2’ operation. Additionally, the UK, Australia, and the US Treasury have emphasized sanctions on individuals and companies tied to Iran’s missile and regional activities” (Siasat-e Rooz, October 17).
In an outraged response, Kayhan newspaper, the mouthpiece of regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei, threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to European ships, stating: “Europe, by initiating a new round of sanctions under the baseless pretext of missile transfers from Iran to Russia, has opted for confrontation over cooperation. Now, Europe must face the consequences of this decision. It is disgraceful for Iran that the soulless leaders of European countries, allied with the savage and criminal Israel, impose air sanctions on our nation without facing any reaction that will make them regret their actions” (Kayhan, October 16).
Conversely, on October 16, the state-run Shargh newspaper, associated with the so-called reformist faction of the regime, highlighted the precarious situation and urged the regime to seek reconciliation with Europe and abandon these threats.
Under the title “Examining the Reasons for the New Round of Sanctions Against Iran,” Shargh wrote: “Airline sanctions are particularly significant and could have serious consequences. It must be acknowledged that these sanctions aim to narrow the decision-making scope of the Islamic Republic. To prevent further tightening of this scope and to break the chain of sanctions, practical steps must be taken to improve relations with Europe.”
The regime’s turmoil once again underscores the need for comprehensive sanctions against the mullahs’ dictatorship—a stance consistently emphasized by the Iranian Resistance. It also highlights how the European Union’s appeasement, particularly its refusal to implement the European Parliament’s resolution to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, has benefited the Iranian regime, emboldening it in its crimes, terrorism, and warmongering.
On April 4, 2024, the German newspaper Die Welt reported new revelations by the National Council of Resistance of Iran regarding the management of Iran Air by the IRGC. The report stated: “Iran Air is not merely an airline; it is fully at the service of the mullahs’ regime’s sinister objectives. This airline was involved in the 1990 terrorist operation in Geneva, where Kazem Rajavi was assassinated by the regime. Following the assassination, the airline delayed a flight to accommodate the operation’s commanders, flying them from Geneva to Tehran.”
Die Welt further reported: “According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Iran Air is systematically used by Iranian intelligence to coordinate terrorist operations in Europe, including a planned attack on a gathering of the Iranian opposition in Paris in 2018, which was thwarted before it could be executed.”