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Iran has filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) against U.S. restrictions targeting its airlines, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said Monday.
"To defend the legitimate rights of the aviation industry and counter illegal restrictions imposed by America, Iran has drafted and submitted a formal protest to the International Civil Aviation Organization," Abouzar Shiroudi said, according to state news agency IRNA.
U.S. sanctions have shut Iranian carriers out of a growing number of regional airports.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has estimated that 80% to 90% of Iran's external flights have been shut down.
Shiroudi said the complaint followed consultations with Iran's Foreign Ministry, as part of the organization's ongoing efforts to restore flight routes.
ICAO, a U.N. agency, sets international standards for civil aviation.
Iran has not said what action it is seeking from the body.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 36 entities supporting Iran's aviation sector on Sept. 8 and designated 27 Iranian airlines, prompting neighbors to bar Iranian carriers.
"On September 23rd, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world," Bessent said.
The Treasury also targeted companies in Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia and Kazakhstan over alleged support for Iranian airlines.
Iraq has suspended Iranian flights at all four airports where they operated.
Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus canceled all flights to and from Iran starting Sept. 21, with no Iran services scheduled through March 2027. Mahan Air suspended flights to Türkiye from Sept. 21 after Turkish authorities ordered it to halt services over sanctions exposure concerns.
Two people told Türkiye Today that all remaining Iranian flights to Türkiye are expected to be canceled in early October, while another source stated they could not verify the information.
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