Saudi Arabia bans Iran's Mahan Air over safety

Saudi Arabia's aviation authority said Monday it had banned Iran's Mahan Air from using its airports and air space over safety concerns.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) released a statement on Monday, asserting that “suspension of licenses granted to the company” has been prompted by alleged “violations” related to airline safety committed by flights operated by Mahan Air to the kingdom.

“This decision comes in the context of the GACA (regarding) the safety of passengers and to preserve their lives,” the statement said.

In a similar act, the Saudi regime on Monday moved to hinder Iran’s efforts to reclaim its previous market share in the global oil market following a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers by not allowing the country’s oil tankers to enter the kingdom’s waters, Financial Times reported according to a circular sent by a shipping insurance company to its members in February.

The notice said ships that have called to Iran as one of its last three ports of entry will also require approval from the Saudi and Bahraini authorities before entering their waters.

The decisions by the Saudi regimes come as tensions are running high between Tehran and Riyadh due to the kingdom’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on January 2.

The execution was followed by an attack by outraged Iranian protesters on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, which resulted in the Arab country’s decision to sever its ties with the Islamic Republic.



/257