Middle East: According to Iran Press, Qatar Airways will add two weekly flights to its existing Doha-Tehran route and add three weekly flights on its Shiraz service in January. It will also launch two weekly flights to Isfahan in February.
“These latest launches are further evidence of Qatar Airways’ commitment to Iran, as well as the expansion of our network in this thriving market ...,” Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said in a statement.
Earlier, Khalid Bin Mohammad al-Attiyeh, the Qatari defense minister had said after Saudi Arabia and its allies had tried to isolate and boycott Qatar, Iran was the first regional country to open its airspace to Qatari airlines, and even provided Qatar with essential items, such as food.
European carriers Air France and British Airways halted flights to Iran this year. Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has also stopped flying to Iran, while Dubai’s Emirates and flydubai have consolidated some routes as part of a partnership led by their shared state owner.
Washington announced on Nov. 5 a series of sanctions targeting Iran’s banks, oil and shipping sectors, national airline and 200 individuals after Trump pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Tehran.
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Zarif: US sanctions won't bring Iran to the negotiating table
After meeting the British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, in Tehran on Nov. 19, Javad Zarif said: “We are used to pressure and we are used to resisting pressure. Sanctions always hurt and they hurt ordinary people, but sanctions seldom change policy, and that has been the problem with US sanctions all the time. They do not force us back to the negotiating table. In fact, they strengthen our resolve to resist. 211/103
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