Iranians face arduous journeys as US sanctions ground planes

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Flying out of Iran has long required patience in the face of restrictions and delays, but new US sanctions have grounded flights at short notice and left war-weary travellers feeling trapped as they try to leave the country. Among those scrambling for a way out is Mitra, a 49-year-old woman who had planned to travel to Paris via Istanbul along with her brother, but who now faces a long journey by road to get to Turkey.