Iraq bans landing of Iran plane due to US sanctions
Iranian footballers were unable to reach Basra by plane. They returned to their homeland and were poisoned to Iraq for a football tournament by ground transport
Iraq has banned a plane carrying Iran's national football team from landing at Basra airport. According to Reuters, the decision was made by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority in connection with US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines.
The plane returned to Iran and landed at Abadan airport, the team will now reach Basra by ground transport. The Iranian team was headed to Iraq to participate in the tournament with the participation of four countries - Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine.
A spokesman for the Iraqi aviation authorities explained that the decision was made because Iraq could not afford the risk of violating US sanctions against Iranian air carriers.
Earlier, Washington announced sanctions against any international companies doing business with Iranian airlines after September 23, the purpose of these measures is to achieve the cessation of flights of all civilian aircraft of Iran around the world.
