So as to make it easier to knock planes out of the sky? From Airwise News, with thanks to Tombeth:
Iran has asked the United States to allow direct flights between the two countries after a break of more than two decades, a senior civil aviation official said on Thursday.
The request comes as the United States and its European Union allies are pressing for the Islamic Republic to be reported to the United Nations Security Council where it could face possible sanctions for its nuclear program.
“We sent a letter to the relevant American officials on Wednesday, announcing Iran’s willingness to resume direct flights,” Nourollah Rezai-Niaraki, head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, told state television.
He said the decision to make the request was taken by hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad due to demand from the large Iranian community living in the United States.
“They have repeatedly complained about wasting time and losing their baggage on connecting flights,” the official said.