Iran seeks support to launch direct Dhaka-Tehran flights

Dhaka: Iran has sought Bangladesh's support to launch direct flights between Dhaka and Tehran as part of broader efforts to strengthen trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The proposal was raised by Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi during a courtesy call on Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at the Parliament House on June 22.

According to a parliamentary press release, the ambassador requested the Speaker's cooperation in facilitating the introduction of direct air connectivity between the two capitals.

The envoy also encouraged Bangladeshis to take advantage of Iran's advanced healthcare services, saying improved connectivity could help boost medical tourism and bilateral exchanges.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to deepen Bangladesh-Iran relations, including expanding trade and economic cooperation. The ambassador expressed optimism that bilateral trade and investment could be increased to USD 1 billion.

He also highlighted Iran's interest in exporting petrochemical products, urea fertilizer, and food items to Bangladesh at competitive prices, while noting Tehran's willingness to import Bangladesh's ready-made garments.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stressed the importance of strengthening parliamentary relations between the two countries and proposed forming parliamentary friendship groups to foster closer cooperation.

The ambassador also sought Bangladesh's support for renewing a cultural exchange program and a preferential trade arrangement between the two countries.