TEHRAN – Iranian expatriates living in Europe have launched an online petition to denounce the European Union and British government's recent ban on Iran Air. 

The petition, signed by hundreds of Iranian nationals, argues that the sanctions unfairly target ordinary citizens, making it difficult for them to visit family and friends in Iran.

The petition highlights the hardship caused by the embargo, stating that while alternative travel options exist, they are inconvenient and burdensome, especially for the elderly and disabled. It calls on European authorities to reconsider their stance and allow Iran Air to resume operations, emphasizing the needs of over a million passengers who rely on the airline for affordable travel.

The EU and the UK announced last month that they are restricting Iran Air’s operation within European airspace in response to Iran’s alleged provision of missiles to Russia. Tehran has rejected the claims and asked Europe to provide evidence.

On Tuesday, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, took to X to criticize Europe’s decision, arguing that it unjustly affects both Iranian and non-Iranian passengers. He cited President Zelensky of Ukraine’s recent statement that no Iranian missiles have been delivered to Russia. “High time for the EU to end this farce,” he said. “The targeting of ordinary Iranians based on thin air is immoral and plain wrong. It must be immediately reversed.”

Iran was previously accused by the West of supplying drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, prompting new sanctions against the country. However, the West has yet to provide concrete evidence to support these allegations of Iranian involvement in the Ukraine conflict.