US F-15 Fighter Jet Threatens Iranian Passenger Plane in Syrian Airspace... 3 Passengers Injured

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] An Iranian civilian passenger plane heading from Iran to Lebanon reportedly sustained passenger injuries while avoiding threats from a U.S. fighter jet as it passed through Syrian airspace. The U.S. military has targeted the airline for sanctions since 2011, citing its transportation of weapons and troops in Middle Eastern conflict zones.

According to the Associated Press, on the 23rd (local time), Mahan Air Flight 1152, departing from Tehran, Iran, en route to Beirut, Lebanon, was threatened by a U.S. F-15 fighter jet while passing through Syrian airspace. As the F-15 approached within 100 meters, increasing the risk of collision, the passenger plane's pilot suddenly lowered altitude, causing some passengers on board to fall, resulting in injuries to three passengers. The F-15 fighter jet visually confirmed that the aircraft was a civilian passenger plane carrying passengers and then retreated to a safe distance, AP reported.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately issued a protest statement, delivering a protest letter to the U.S. through the Swiss Embassy and sending a similar letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres. The Iranian Foreign Ministry warned, "If another incident occurs with aircraft returning from Tehran, the United States will be fully responsible." It also stated that it would investigate the incident and take necessary legal and political measures.

The reason for the U.S. fighter jet's close approach is reportedly because Mahan Air, the airline to which the passenger plane belongs, has been included in U.S. sanctions against Iran since 2011. Previously, the U.S. government included Mahan Air in its sanctions list, accusing it of funding the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and illegally transporting weapons and troops to Syria and Middle Eastern conflict zones.