This has to fall into the “you have to be kidding me” category, Iran is requesting direct flights to the United States to be reinstated so that passengers do not lose their luggage.

Here is a country that is close to war with the United States over nuclear weapons development and they want to reinstate direct flights. Oh, sure, leave politics out of it. Sure.

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.
Iranian airliners have been barred from the United States since the US government broke ties with Tehran after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
An Iranian civil aviation spokesman said Ahmadinejad’s decision did not signal any move to try to improve relations between the two old foes. “I hope American officials do not adopt a political stance in making a decision on this request,” said spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh. via AirWise News.

Hat Tip: Online Travel Review