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US military contractors on plane forced to make abrupt landing in Iran US military contractors on plane forced to make abrupt landing in Iran
(about 2 hours later)
A charter plane carrying US military contractors from Afghanistan to Dubai made an abrupt and unexpected landing in Iran on Friday, in an incident that US officials attributed to a “bureaucratic” issue.A charter plane carrying US military contractors from Afghanistan to Dubai made an abrupt and unexpected landing in Iran on Friday, in an incident that US officials attributed to a “bureaucratic” issue.
There were no indications any US personnel had been forced off the ground or taken into Iranian custody from the plane, which was chartered by the US-led forces in Afghanistan.There were no indications any US personnel had been forced off the ground or taken into Iranian custody from the plane, which was chartered by the US-led forces in Afghanistan.
The landing, first reported by the Washington Post, was said to have resulted from a deviated flight plan. Iranian air traffic controllers requested it to return to Afghanistan, but the plane reportedly lacked the fuel.The landing, first reported by the Washington Post, was said to have resulted from a deviated flight plan. Iranian air traffic controllers requested it to return to Afghanistan, but the plane reportedly lacked the fuel.
There were reports that Iranian fighter jets escorted the charter plane into landing, although a senior State Department official denied that it had been “forced down”. State Department deputy spokesperson, Marie Harf, said on Friday night that the plane had subsequently taken off from Bandar Abbas and arrived in Dubai. She denied that any Iranian jets had been scrambled to escort the plane into landing.
“A Fly Dubai charter plane flying from Bagram Air Field to Dubai was re-routed to Bandar Abbas, Iran because of a bureaucratic issue today,” the official told reporters. “The Fly Dubai non-US Government charter plane that was re-routed to Bandar Abbas, Iran, because of a bureaucratic issue today involving the plane’s flight plan has departed Iran and landed in Dubai,” she said.
The official said later on Friday night that the plane had taken off from Bandar Abbas. Fly Dubai confirmed in a statement that its charter was en route again to Dubai. “Contrary to press reports, no Iranian jets were scrambled in this situation. We appreciate the efforts of all parties to help the passengers get safely to their destination.”
US Central Command, responsible for US military operations in the region, deferred comment to the State Department.US Central Command, responsible for US military operations in the region, deferred comment to the State Department.
American-chartered flights do not frequently or purposefully cross into Iranian airspace. US military flights from Middle East staging grounds into Afghanistan attempt to avoid Iran altogether.American-chartered flights do not frequently or purposefully cross into Iranian airspace. US military flights from Middle East staging grounds into Afghanistan attempt to avoid Iran altogether.
On occasion, Iranian aircraft have tailed and accompanied US drones, often those flying in the Persian Gulf close to Iranian airspace or waters.On occasion, Iranian aircraft have tailed and accompanied US drones, often those flying in the Persian Gulf close to Iranian airspace or waters.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States and its allies are set to resume in New York this month. There is also much speculation of tacit cooperation between the US and Iran in Iraq over their mutual enemy, the Islamic State (Isis).Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States and its allies are set to resume in New York this month. There is also much speculation of tacit cooperation between the US and Iran in Iraq over their mutual enemy, the Islamic State (Isis).