An aircraft carrying the Iranian national football team was prevented from landing at Basra International Airport in Iraq due to strict U.S. sanctions on Iranian aviation.
The squad was scheduled to arrive in Iraq ahead of a friendly match against Palestine on November 14, 2026, as part of an upcoming four-nation tournament involving host nation Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, and Palestine. However, citing the risk of violating U.S. sanctions, Iraqi civil aviation authorities refused landing clearance. Following the denial, the flight returned to Iran and landed in Abadan, from where the team will travel to Basra by road, according to the Iranian Embassy.
Read nextHardik Pandya Moves to Punjab Kings in IPL Trade; Arshdeep Singh Joins Mumbai IndiansThe incident highlights the expanding impact of Washington's secondary sanctions on international aviation involving Iranian carriers. Earlier directives warned that global airports and companies maintaining business ties with Iranian airlines face potential penalties and exclusion from the U.S. dollar financial system. Consequently, Iraqi authorities have implemented strict bans on Iranian flights to avoid regulatory repercussions.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sports Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
