Mohsen Rezaei urged regional governments to remain neutral and warned them against allowing their airports to become part of the US campaign against Iran.
Iran has warned neighbouring countries against cooperating with the United States to restrict Iranian airlines, saying such moves could trigger retaliation against their own airports.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning in an interview with Iranian state broadcaster IRIB on Wednesday, after new US sanctions disrupted international flights from Iran.
“We say to all countries in the region, and we ask them, not to join America’s adventurism,” Rezaei said.
“If they don’t allow Iranian planes to travel, their own airports won’t be able to have flights either. You are our friends, but you must not fall in line with America. You must stop the war from spreading,” he added.
US Sanctions Hit Iranian Flights
The warning came after the US tightened sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said on Monday that Iranian airlines would face restrictions from Wednesday as Washington stepped up economic pressure on Tehran.
“All the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world,” Bessent told CNBC.
Iran has 27 airlines, most of which operate domestic routes. Iran Air and Mahan Air are the country’s main international carriers, serving destinations including neighbouring states, Russia and China.
Several international routes were disrupted after the measures took effect. Georgia and Azerbaijan confirmed suspensions, while flights to destinations including Baghdad, Muscat and Qatar were also reported to have been cancelled.
Tehran Warns Against Regional Escalation
Rezaei urged regional governments to remain neutral and warned them against allowing their airports to become part of the US campaign against Iran.
The Iranian official also accused Washington of seeking to create a propaganda spectacle.
