Qatar adds more flights to Iran amid US sanctions

Qatar Airways will add more flights to Iran from January, the airline announced on Monday just weeks after the United States re-imposed sanctions aimed at crippling Tehran’s economy.

President Donald Trump has threatened to bar companies that continue to do business with Iran from the US market.

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 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.

European carriers Air France and British Airways halted flights to Iran this year. Etihad Airways has also stopped flying to Iran.

Washington announced on November 5 a series of sanctions targeting Iran’s banks, oil and shipping sectors, national airline and 200 individuals after Trump pulled the US out of an international nuclear deal with Tehran.