Iran Air Halts All European Flights Following New EU Sanctions

Iran Air, the national airline of Iran, has suspended all flights to Europe in response to newly imposed sanctions by the European Union (EU). Passengers booked with Iran Air were notified via text message that flights had been canceled, as the airline feared it would no longer be permitted to land or depart from European airports.

What Prompted the Suspension?

The suspension follows the EU's recent imposition of sanctions on seven individuals and seven organizations, including Iranian airlines such as Iran Air, Saha Airlines, and Mahan Air. While only Iran Air operates flights to Europe, these sanctions are in response to allegations that Iran has been supplying ballistic missiles and drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine—claims that Tehran has denied.

In its official statement, the EU emphasized that the sanctions target specific Iranian activities, including the transfer of Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technology to Russia, rather than civilian travel. The EU expressed that the sanctions were not intended to disrupt air traffic between Europe and Iran overall, but rather to deter specific actions linked to the war in Ukraine.

Which Flights Are Affected?

All flights between Iran and Europe have been affected, including routes to eleven European destinations. Iran Air, which operates from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), has suspended services to the following airports:

• London Heathrow (LHR)
• Milan Malpensa (MXP)
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• Hamburg (HAM)
• Frankfurt (FRA)
• Cologne (CGN)
• Vienna (VIE)
• Rome (FCO)

A spokesperson from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization confirmed that the flights had been halted due to the airline’s inability to secure landing permits at European airports. Many passengers reported receiving last-minute text messages regarding the flight cancellations, with some now stranded in foreign countries. Given the growing restrictions, flights to and from Tehran have become increasingly scarce, as other international airlines also limit services to the Iranian capital.

In a related development, Iran’s foreign ministry has summoned Hungary’s ambassador to protest the new EU sanctions. Hungary, whose capital Budapest currently hosts the EU’s rotating presidency, has been central in Tehran’s diplomatic engagement over the sanctions.