Air transport movement witnessed rapid developments yesterday, Friday, with the escalating implementation of the ban on Iranian flights from Iraqi airports. This added further pressure on Tehran to intensify its diplomatic efforts toward negotiation and opening channels of dialogue to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Impact of the Ban on the Iranian Aviation Sector
As part of compliance with measures announced by Washington targeting Iranian air traffic around the world, vital Iraqi airports refrained from operating their usual daily flights to Tehran and other Iranian cities, dealing a severe financial and operational blow to Iran's aviation sector.
In this context, air traffic witnessed several key developments, most notably:
Mahan Air: Officially announced the cancellation of its scheduled flights to Erbil Airport and the "Jalal Talabani" Airport in the Kurdistan Region, after being notified of the decision prohibiting their operation.
Najaf Airport: The Iraqi News Agency reported that the airport suspended all incoming and outgoing flights to and from Iran.
Official Reactions: Reports conveyed warnings made by Mohammad Mokhber, advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that if Tehran is unable to operate its flights and utilize airport services, no other party in the region will be able to do so either.
A 7-Day Iranian Proposal to Resolve the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
This airspace ban coincided with the unveiling of a new Iranian initiative involving a 7-day plan proposed by Tehran to Washington via intermediaries. The plan entails reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming diplomatic negotiations to reach a final agreement ending the war that has been ongoing between the two sides for 7 months.
In the same context, CNN quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that the proposal submitted to the United States stipulates Washington's commitment to specific conditions within a 7-day deadline, as a fundamental prerequisite for resuming talks and reopening the vital shipping strait.
