Dubai: Iran has said it will ban airlines from its airspace unless they use the term “Persian Gulf” on their in flight monitors, according to media reports.
The threat came from Transport Minister Hamid Behbahani, who said it would give foreign airlines 15 days to comply.
The BBC News website said repeat offences would result in planes being impounded and refused permission to leave the country.
A Greek member of Iranian carrier Kish Air’s cabin crew was sacked and deported recently after getting involved in an argument with passengers over whether the name should be “Arabian Gulf” or “Persian Gulf”.
Iran move 'meant as a slight to Arabs'
The announcement by Iran that airlines that do not display the term "Persian Gulf" on their monitors will be impounded is meant to incite the anger of Arab countries, says a Dubai-based analyst.
It is an unwise decision for the Iranians to carry out given their current stage of confrontation with the West over its nuclear programme, Riad Kahwaji, Director General of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) told Gulf News in an interview.
"Iran is shooting itself in the foot by doing this. They will deprive their country from transiting fees and neighbouring nations will be obliged to impose reciprocal acts against Iranian flights," he said.
Iran has said it will ban airlines from its airspace unless they use the term "Persian Gulf" on their in-flight monitors, according to media reports.
- Duraid Al Baik, Associate Editor, Gulf News
