Korean Air will exclusively service direct flights to Iran after global economic sanctions were recently lifted.
 
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a deliberation meeting Friday and awarded the rights for direct flights to Iran to Korean Air.
 
Given passenger demand, the route will likely connect Incheon International Airport with Iran's capital Teheran. 
 
South Korea and Iran signed an aviation agreement in 1998 and agreed to allow four flights a week, respectively.
 
Under the agreement, Korean Air, which beat out rivals Asiana Airlines, must launch the direct flight service within one year.
 
Korean Air can choose whether to operate cargo, passenger services or a combination of both. The airline is known to be considering servicing both cargo and passenger flights.