Israel Bars Entry to US Airline Pilot Over Pro-Iran Stance

Israel has officially banned Sina Amjadiyan, an Iran-born pilot employed by United Airlines, from entering its airspace. The decision, stemming from intelligence gathered after an unusual incident involving a Flydubai flight, was formally communicated to United Airlines. Amjadiyan, who reportedly resides in Dubai, is alleged to have expressed support for the Iranian regime, the Revolutionary Guards, and Hezbollah on social media. Concerns were raised that he might serve as aircrew on a flight to Israel, prompting a security review by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Mossad, and Unit 760.

Social media posts cited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claim Amjadiyan shared pro-Iranian content, including a video praising Iran's missile attacks on Tel Aviv and allegedly supporting Hamas's October 7th attack. While United Airlines confirmed receipt of the ban and stated Amjadiyan primarily operates domestic flights within the US or to Canada, Israel's security apparatus recommended prohibiting his arrival as aircrew. Israel is reportedly seeking to identify other potentially hostile pilots.

United Airlines, which operates two daily flights to Israel, has confirmed in writing that it received the directive and will comply with the ban on Amjadiyan. The airline noted that Amjadiyan has been employed since November 2022 and does not hold a license for wide-body aircraft, limiting his flights. However, the security concern in Israel was that he could still be assigned as aircrew on a flight to the country.