S1/E16: Kayhan Threatens to Disrupt EU Shipping

Iran's Gambit

In response to Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia, the European Union sanctioned three Iranian airliners on October 14: Saha Airlines, which operates domestic flights within Iran; Mahan Air; and Iran Air. Following the sanctions, Iran Air suspended its services to EU member states. This leaves the significant demand for flights from Iran to Europe to be fulfilled by foreign airlines through connecting flights via intermediate countries such as Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar. While most Iranian media merely reported the new sanctions, Kayhan newspaper, a mouthpiece for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reacted strongly to the sanctions in its October 16 edition.