Germany blocks Mahan Air

Germany has banned Iran’s Mahan Air from landing in the country with immediate effect (21 January). A spokesperson for Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that it could not be ‘ruled out that this airline carries out transports to Germany that affect our security concerns. This is especially true against the backdrop of terrorist activities, intelligence on terrorist activities from the Iranian side and Iranian entities in Europe in the past.’

Mahan Air was designated by the United States in 2011 ‘for providing financial, material and technological support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).’

It is known that the US ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, has assiduously lobbied the German government to ban Mahan Air, and the decision has been warmly welcomed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has described the decision to suspend the company’s operating licence as ‘unjustifiable and not professional’, according to news agency IRNA.

It said: ‘Mahan has had all the necessary licenses. The suspension is in line with the economic war that’s been waged against the Iranian nation. Iran’s civil aviation has always been exposed to limitations caused by the animosity of ill-wishers and its foreign rivals.’