Iran’s Mehdi Taremi shoots the ball during the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier group A soccer match between Iran and North Korea, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Iran’s Mehdi Taremi, left, attempts a shot on North Korea’s goal during their Asian qualifier group A soccer match for the 2026 World Cup, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the last two days.

That meant the Iran international was unable to take his scheduled flight on Saturday to join his Inter teammates in Los Angeles.

Taremi will miss Inter’s opening match against Monterrey on Wednesday and Italian media reports the 32-year-old will not feature in the other matches either regardless of whether Iranian airspace reopens.

Inter Milan’s Mehdi Taremi and Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu pause during a training session ahead of the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Taremi joined Inter from Porto last year.

___

Como’s goalkeeper Pepe Reina, left, saves a shot by Inter Milan’s Mehdi Taremi during the Serie A soccer match between Como and Inter Milan at the Sinigaglia stadium in Como, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)