Reactions to the Sanctions on Iranian Airlines; From the Heights of the Shah's Era to the Depths of the Sheikh's Period

The European Union's sanctions against three Iranian airlines, Iran Air, Mahan, and Saha, have led to widespread reactions on social media, with some users recalling the unfulfilled promises of Masoud Behdarif regarding the lifting of sanctions. Following the sanctions, the Secretary of the Airline Companies Association stated that among Iranian companies, 'only Iran Air had flights to Europe,' and now, due to the new EU sanctions, no Iranian aircraft will fly to this continent. These sanctions were imposed while Masoud Behdarif, prior to succeeding Raisi and being introduced as the head of the fourteenth government of the Islamic Republic, had claimed, 'I have come to lift the sanctions'; a slogan that the reformist branch of the government used to portray Behdarif as different from other government candidates. Some users have also shared images titled 'Iran Air's Confusion in Turkish Skies,' claiming that due to EU sanctions, it was not allowed to land in Turkey. Najat Bahrami, a political analyst and journalist, reacted to the new EU sanctions on Wednesday, October 25, by posting an image of Behdarif's slogan on the social media platform X, stating: 'A few months after this tweet, Iranian passengers were left stranded and helpless at the airport because the planes, due to the new sanctions, have no right to enter any normal country! This was the result of all the hype and false propaganda that Abbas Abdi, Zeidabadi, and Jalai-Pour initiated!' Benyamin Sadr, a journalist, also referred to the flourishing period of Iran Air and wrote: 'Now the national airline of Iran has no name or sign at major and reputable airports in Europe, thanks to the Sheikh, it is under comprehensive sanctions.' He shared images from the airline's activities, reminding everyone: 'It is worth taking a look at these photos of the happy days of Iran Air during the Shah's era. The plan that the late Amir Abbas Hoveyda had for Iranian flights was that with the takeoff of one plane with the Iran Air logo from the airports of major European cities, another Iran Air plane would be seen on the runway... and how easily Iran Air fell from its peak during the Sheikh's era.' Siavash Radmehr, a political activist active on social media, also said: 'Iran Air was sanctioned yesterday and has no flights to Europe anymore; I have no doubt that if it weren't for the cursed Khomeini and the 1979 revolution, this company would now be better and more luxurious than Turkish Airlines, Qatar, or Emirates in the Middle East and West Asia.' Previously, some users pointed to the presence of Saudi Arabian planes at John F. Kennedy Airport, stating that Ali Khamenei's rule has brought Iran to the 'depths of humiliation' in various aspects over the past four decades. Earlier, a historical memory account published a leaked audio file of Javad Zarif, Behdarif's strategic deputy, who said on February 25, 2021: 'After the JCPOA, Kerry said that from the day we removed Iran Air from the sanctions list, its flights to Syria increased sixfold. I said, is that possible? The head of the airline said it is true, 'Haj Qasem' [Soleimani] pressured it.' I said, Qasem, why are you doing this? Go with Mahan. He said Iran Air is safer.' Reza Rashidpour, a media activist from the reformist branch of the Islamic Republic and a defender of Behdarif and Zarif, considered the sanctioning of Iran Air a blessing for Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar, stating that this sanction 'apparently harms the affluent class, but in reality, it will increase the outflow of currency from the country by several tens of times, affecting even the poorest classes.' Hossein Shariatmadari, Ali Khamenei's representative at Kayhan newspaper and from the conservative faction of the Islamic Republic, also stated: 'Now that Europe has sanctioned three Iranian airlines, we should also close the Strait of Hormuz. It is a disgrace for us to be subjected to air sanctions, but not to face any reaction.' Payman Molavi, a media activist, also considered the sanctions on Iran Air and Mahan as 'the beginning of a new round of sanctions and actions' against the Islamic Republic. The EU sanctions against the Iranian Deputy Minister of Defense, senior members of the Revolutionary Guards, and three airlines were imposed due to allegations of sending drones, missiles, and other equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine, welcomed by several officials from the EU and member countries, Israel, and several members of the European Parliament. According to the sanctions imposed on Tuesday, October 23, by the European Union, the names of three airlines, Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha, as well as Hamzeh Gholandari, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, are among those sanctioned. The EU stated that the aircraft of these companies 'have been repeatedly used to transport Iranian-made drones and related technologies to Russia,' which Russia has employed in its 'aggressive war' against Ukraine. The Secretary of the Airline Companies Association stated that among Iranian companies, 'only Iran Air had flights to Europe,' and now, due to the new EU sanctions, no Iranian aircraft will fly to this continent. Asadi Samani told ILNA that from now on, demands for travel to European destinations will 'shift towards foreign airlines,' which, according to him, 'given the specific conditions of the region, some foreign airlines have also limited or suspended their flights to Iran.' He also stated that European flights will 'now be conducted through connecting flights from intermediary countries like Turkey or the UAE.'