United Pilot Barred from Israel Over Social Media Posts Praising Iran

Israel’s Transportation Ministry has barred United Airlines pilot Sina Amjadian from entering the country, citing controversial social media posts in which he expressed sympathies for Iran and its allied organizations. Amjadian, who is based at Los Angeles International Airport, had his entry permit revoked, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Amjadian’s Instagram bio includes an icon for Tehran’s international airport, IKA, and he has shared posts featuring Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Islamic Republic flags. According to reports, he also posted content expressing support for the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah, an organization designated as terrorist by the United States.

Israel’s Transportation Ministry notified United Airlines of the decision on Wednesday. An Israeli Transport Ministry spokesperson stated that the pilot's details were forwarded to the relevant aviation security authority to ensure he would not be permitted to enter Israel as a member of an aircraft crew. Information was also shared with Israeli intelligence and defense agencies, which reviewed the findings and recommended the entry ban.

United Airlines stated that Amjadian has been on leave since 2024 and is not currently flying for the company. His LinkedIn profile indicates he has been with United since November 2022. Before joining United, he worked as a pilot for flydubai. Reports suggest he may currently be in Dubai.

It was also determined that Amjadian primarily operates domestic routes within the U.S. and Canada, and does not fly international routes to Israel. The country has increased its security scrutiny following a recent incident involving a flydubai co-pilot suspected of an attempted terrorist attack on a flight bound for Israel in September. United Airlines has since issued an internal memo prohibiting crew members from 29 nationalities, including those from Oman and Iraq, from working on routes to Israel.