The United States has confirmed that a UAE airplane chartered by International Coalition Forces under U.S. command in Afghanistan was diverted from its route and landed at Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas, then continued on its journey to Dubai after a few hours.
The reports indicate that the plane was carrying 100 Americans and possibly two Canadians.
Reuters quotes a U.S. official saying that Iran used fighter jets to force the plane to land, but this has been denied by other U.S. officials including White House Spokesperson Marie Herf, who have said the plane landed on its own.
Herf thanked all parties for their efforts in safely bringing the passengers to their destination.
Iran and the U.S. have had no diplomatic relations since the U.S. embassy was taken over in 1979. In recent months, however, they have had some direct talks in connection with the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 5+1.
