Merkel hits Iran scare pocket

In a rare development, Iran refused to let German chancellor Angela Merkel’s flight enter it's air space enroute to India for close to two hours, leaving the aircraft hovering over Turkey, and triggering scares of a fuel shortage. HT reports.

In a rare development, Iran refused to let German chancellor Angela Merkel’s flight enter it's air space enroute to India for close to two hours, leaving the aircraft hovering over Turkey, and triggering scares of a fuel shortage.

HT Image

Finally Tehran relented, leaving officials relieved, but forcing them to change her schedule to make up for the lost time.

German officials said Iran had earlier agreed to give the over-flight clearance and were "shocked, scared and surprised" by the last minute refusal.

Some officials dubbed it a “coordination” problem. Merkel brushed off the development. “Let me say I am very glad that I arrived safely here ... We have been able to hold Indo-German Inter-Governmental Consultation and that is the most important part of this,” she said.