When Israel allowed a Persian plane to land

The Hijacking of the Boeing 707: A Dramatic Incident That Fueled Tensions Between Iran and Israel

Introduction

In 1374 (1995 AD), a Boeing 707 aircraft, owned by the Saha Airlines and leased to Kish Air, became the center of an international incident when one of its flight attendants, Reza Jabri, hijacked the plane during a domestic flight from Tehran to the resort island of Kish in the Persian Gulf. What started as a seemingly routine flight quickly turned into a geopolitical crisis that involved several countries and highlighted the volatile nature of Middle Eastern politics at the time. This incident not only strained relations between Iran and Israel but also drew in other regional powers, showcasing the complexities of international diplomacy.

The Hijacking: A Desperate Act

Reza Jabri, a 36-year-old Iranian national, was the mastermind behind the hijacking. Working as a flight attendant on the ill-fated flight, Jabri had meticulously planned the hijacking with hopes of seeking political asylum in Europe. He was disillusioned with the political situation in Iran and saw the hijacking as a desperate but viable means to secure a better future for himself.