Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi has been unable to join his club team-mates for the Club World Cup having been grounded in Iran, with air space closed during the escalating conflict with Israel.
The forward scored for Iran in their 3-0 World Cup qualifier against North Korea in Tehran on Tuesday night and was meant to join his club in Los Angeles on Saturday ahead of their Group E opener against Monterrey, which kicks off at 2am BST on Wednesday.
However, he is stranded in his home nation and Italian media reports say the 32-year-old is now no longer expected to link up with Inter for the FIFA tournament – regardless of whether Iranian air space reopens.
Mehdi Taremi reacts after Inter loss in the UEFA Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Flights have been grounded since Israel launched a military operation on Thursday targeting nuclear sites and several Iranian commanders. They have since retaliated, targeting Tel Aviv, with dozens of people reported dead.
Taremi signed for Inter from Porto last year and made 26 appearances in Serie A this season, though only seven of those were starts as the Milan side finished second behind Napoli.
He also played a dozen times in their Champions League run but was an unused substitute for their 5-0 humbling at the hands of Paris Saint Germain in the final.
Inter also face Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds and South African giants River Plate in the group stage of the new and controversial 32-team tournament which runs until July 14.
