Iran-US Conflict:An Iranian civilian aircraft that was going to India was reportedly hit in a United States airstrike at Mashhad airport, according to news agency ANI quoting Iranian sources. The aircraft belonged to Mahan Air and was scheduled to fly to New Delhi as part of a humanitarian mission. The incident happened while the plane was stationed at Mashhad International Airport,(Iran-US Conflict)which stopped the planned flight and disrupted the aid operation.
Iranian sources said the aircraft was part of a humanitarian mission and was expected to transport medicines and medical equipment. The flight was connected to humanitarian coordination between India and Iran. Because of the strike, the delivery of medical supplies and aid could be delayed, affecting ongoing relief efforts between the two countries.
So far, the United States has not officially confirmed the reported airstrike. There is also no clear information about the level of damage to the aircraft or whether there were any casualties. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft operating in areas affected by conflict.
India and Iran Strengthening Humanitarian Cooperation
The development comes at a time when India and Iran have been working closely on humanitarian support. Earlier in March, India sent humanitarian aid to Iran and highlighted the strong historical and humanitarian ties between the two nations. The damage to the aircraft may affect future aid coordination and logistics between both countries.
Iran Calls the Incident a War Crime
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation strongly condemned the attack and called it a war crime. In a statement shared by Iran’s mission in India on social media, the organisation said the aircraft was carrying medicines and medical equipment from different countries and was engaged in a humanitarian mission. Iran stated that targeting a civilian aircraft is a serious violation of international aviation and humanitarian laws.
Iran Refers to International Aviation and Humanitarian Laws
Iran cited important international agreements such as the Chicago Convention of 1944 and the Montreal Convention of 1971, which consider attacks on civilian aircraft as international criminal offences. Iran also referred to the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilian objects like humanitarian aircraft during conflicts. According to Iran, this attack goes against global aviation safety rules and humanitarian principles.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation has called on international bodies to investigate the incident quickly and take action against those responsible. The organisation also asked for stronger safeguards to protect civilian aircraft and humanitarian missions in conflict zones to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest private airlines, has been under United States sanctions for many years. The US has accused the airline of having links with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and transporting military personnel and equipment, but Iran has repeatedly denied these allegations. This incident shows the growing danger for civilian aircraft in war-affected regions. In recent months, several aviation facilities and aircraft in Iran have faced damage due to ongoing conflict, increasing global concerns about the safety of humanitarian and civilian flights.