Ukraine ends air traffic agreement with Iran

Ukraine has ended an air traffic agreement with Iran, amid the increasingly strained ties between the two countries due to Iran’s reported assistance to Russia in its ongoing invasion.

In a post on Telegram on Friday, Taras Melnychuk, a representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in Ukraine’s parliament, stated that “the air traffic agreement between the government of Ukraine and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been terminated”.

Reportedly signed on 9 July 1993, the agreement has not been specified to be of any major significance in either matters of aviation or in relations between Kyiv and Tehran. Its termination also comes amid Ukraine’s maintained closure of its national airspace due to the ongoing war against invading Russian forces since February 2022.

As there are still no commercial or civil aviation flights to the country, Ukraine’s decision to terminate the agreement with Iran apparently means that after its airspace reopens, any air traffic with Iran will be discontinued.

Although no explanation has been given regarding Kyiv’s decision, it comes after numerous accusations by the Ukrainian government and its Western allies – as well as media reports and investigations – that Tehran has been secretly assisting Moscow in its military efforts by supplying drones, missiles, and other equipment to Russian forces.

READ: Ukraine summons Iran diplomat over ‘concern’ of ballistic missile transfer to Russia