Iran Resumes Flights to Oman and Azerbaijan Under Limited US Exemptions

The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization received official signals to resume reciprocal air flights towards the Sultanate of Oman and the south of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a step representing new and limited exceptions and exemptions from the comprehensive ban and restrictions imposed by the United States on the Iranian aviation sector and national carrier companies.

These field and logistical developments come after Iranian carriers resumed their flights towards Najaf Airport in southern Iraq, following a security and financial exemption granted by Washington to the Iraqi government to ensure the operation of vital routes. In contrast, the head of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization revealed that approximately 100 aircraft were damaged due to recent military operations, with fewer than 10 planes completely destroyed, in addition to damage to infrastructure and runways at 27 regional and local airports. The direct operational capacity of the fleet currently stands at around 150 aircraft, with plans and executive phases aimed at raising readiness and returning about 200 aircraft to service within the next six months.

These operational moves place the Iranian navigation sector before difficult challenges; as the United States had set a deadline for foreign companies and extended navigation services until September 23 last year to comply with sanction requirements and freeze fuel supply and technical support services. Washington threatens to list any non-compliant parties and institutions on blacklists, which directly threatens their isolation from the dollar transaction system and global financial zones.