Continued revelation Following reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran has transferred hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new U.S. sanctions against the administration's national airline, IranAir.
Along caveat The move, announced by the G7 in April, is also being implemented in France, Germany and the UK. Terminate bilateral aviation agreements The deal with Iran effectively banned Iran Air from flying to Western Europe.
This movement will soon Criticismsome state Although European countries say the move will have “no impact,” they have made the right decision: the ban and sanctions on Iran Air follow a clear precedent and are necessary to rein in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), given the airline's inextricable ties with the group.
IranAir cannot be treated as a traditional flag carrier, as its corporate structure, staff and logistics network are all controlled by the IRGC. Iran maintains direct ownership and appoints the airline's leadership, which is primarily made up of IRGC commanders, including Shamseddin Farzadipour, IranAir's CEO.
His schedule In position In 2022, Farzadipour served as general of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Operations Command. Notably, he served in this position. at that time IRGC (Revolutionary Guard Corps) Shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed, killing 176 civilians. Canada, the UK, Ukraine and Sweden Currently recruiting An international settlement process for this illegal activity.
Beyond its management control, the IRGC is integrated throughout IranAir's infrastructure. For example, the paramilitary group is responsible for maintaining the airline's main hub, Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. Ongoing redevelopment teeth Fully Managed The IRGC Economic mainstayKhatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
The IRGC also plays a similar role in managing Iran Air's secondary hubs. Chabahar and Mehrabad airport, Have jurisdiction Airline safetyand utilize Terminal For own use.
The impact of the IRGC's control is clear: IranAir is available to ordinary Iranians, but the airline is also vital to paramilitary operational logistics, and since 2012 the IRGC has been using ostensibly civilian airlines. Iran Air flights To Transfer of weapons and personnel The Assad regime is under international scrutiny. Sanctions Assistance against human rights violations. cooperation Cooperation with Russia Deadly To support the regime as the Syrian civil war continues.
Perhaps most worrying is the IRGC’s Continued use of Iran Air Flights for transporting ammunition, Suicide drone and personnel To Russia -it is Reflected Recent U.S. sanctions designations: Russia's combat capabilities in Ukraine Significantly decreased Without the arms shipments from Iran, which Iran Air helped deliver.
This is not the first time Iran Air has come under international scrutiny: UN Security Council resolutions in 2008 and 2010 called on member states to inspect the airline's cargo over suspected violations of nuclear non-proliferation law. It is unclear whether that practice is still ongoing.
Given the airline's clear involvement in achieving the IRGC's strategic objectives, frequent flights to and from European airports pose a significant security risk. The ban on IranAir will prevent the IRGC from using the airline to transit or access critical infrastructure in Western Europe.
The foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK claim that they are working towards imposing sanctions, in addition to restricting Iran Airlines' access to airspace and airports. This too is the right move and is necessary to put pressure on the airline's operations. US sanctions have already been imposed limited Airline range, and Grounded Similarly, sanctions imposed by the UK and the European Union on Russian airlines due to security risks and involvement in the aggression in Ukraine Effective.
Russia's aviation industry is in decline, with some airlines Aircraft cannibalism To Continue operationBy imposing similar sanctions on Iran Air, Europe Support for Ukraine Regarding the issue of the transfer of weapons and personnel from Iran to Russia.
This is not the first time that Western countries have imposed restrictions and sanctions on airlines controlled by the Islamic Republic. Since 2009, European countries have Germany, Italy and Spain Iran's Mahan Air was banned. Involvement in IRGC activities.
The UK has its own suspension Accusations that airlines do not meet international safety standards. As mentioned above, the U.S. Already banned Iran Air was arrested for having ties to the IRGC for over a decade. Sanctions All of these measures introduced in recent years are justified. Acceptable Under international law governing aviation regulations, caveat The G7 announced this in April.
Ultimately, these measures against Iran Air by France, Germany and the UK are not without effect. Iran Air's deep ties with the IRGC pose a clear threat to international security. Moreover, suspending Iran Air's flights to France, Germany and the UK and imposing sanctions will disrupt the IRGC's logistics network. Moreover, further measures are likely to be taken in the near future.
Even after these measures were implemented, Iran Air Continue flying The airline, which operates flights to Italy and Austria, is not yet subject to European Union sanctions. Engage As malign activity continues across Europe, it is time for other countries to follow suit and take action against airlines that support the IRGC's activities.
Jack Roush He is a researcher at the Coalition Against Iranian Nuclear Weapons.
