Georgia’s Civil Aviation Organization announced that the country operates in the field with Iranian airlines “in full compliance” with the international sanctions regime.

Based on the statement from this organization, the expanded U.S. sanctions list includes companies that currently operate flights between Georgia and Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Department on 17 Shahrivar suspended three aviation-related permits and imposed sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines companies and nine aviation service providers and sales representatives.

Six Iranian airlines have direct flights to Tbilisi and Batumi.

Ali Majani, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Georgia, said that Iran “respects” Tbilisi’s right to make such a choice, but that Tehran is also free in its decision-making. He added that Iranian tour operators have contacted the embassy to clarify the future of tourism travel to Georgia.