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// DOSSIER — iran-suspends-international-flights-us-sanctions
Iran Suspends International Flights Following New US Sanctions
REL_TIME: 26 Sep 2026 06:12Z · LANG: EN
Iran has suspended flights from Tehran to Baghdad, Muscat, and other regional destinations starting September 23, 2026, following the implementation of expanded third-party U.S. sanctions targeting the Iranian aviation sector. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that global airports and service providers face severe secondary penalties, including removal from the U.S. dollar system, if they provide fuel, landing services, or tickets to Iranian carriers. Consequently, countries like Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey have cut off or restricted Iranian carriers, prompting Iranian authorities to negotiate alternative flight paths such as diverting Baghdad-bound routes to Najaf.
// Background
The aviation restrictions mark an escalation in the ongoing U.S.–Iran confrontation and follow months of regional conflict, including prior military strikes that caused intermittent airspace closures. The latest measures focus heavily on cutting off international operational lifelines for key Iranian carriers such as Iran Air and Mahan Air.
// Key Developments
- Iranian airlines suspended flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Georgia, and Azerbaijan following new U.S. sanctions.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that global service providers face secondary sanctions and exclusion from the dollar system if they service Iranian carriers.
- Iraq ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights to Baghdad starting Wednesday midnight, with discussions underway to divert flights to Najaf.
- Turkish Airlines suspended all services to Iran until March 2027, and Georgia barred Iranian carriers.
- China criticized the U.S. measures as illegal unilateral sanctions lacking UN Security Council authorization.
// Timeline
-
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces new secondary sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector, threatening penalties for entities servicing Iranian planes.
-
Georgia bars Iranian carriers, and private Iranian operator Mahan suspends service to Turkey.
-
Iranian state media confirms flights to Baghdad and Muscat will be canceled, with officials exploring flight diversions to Najaf.
-
Suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Georgia, and Azerbaijan officially takes effect under the weight of U.S. sanctions.
// Perspectives
[United States]
Aggressively targeting Iran's aviation sector through secondary sanctions and penalties on global service providers to completely isolate Iranian carriers.
[Iran]
Forced to suspend key international routes while attempting to find workarounds, such as diverting flights to Najaf, while criticizing the restrictions.
[Iraq]
Complying with U.S. pressure by suspending Iranian flights to Baghdad, while exploring alternatives to keep religious and commercial travel alive via Najaf airport.
[China]
Opposing the U.S. actions, stating the unilateral sanctions lack a basis in international law and UN Security Council authorization.
// Quotes
“All the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world. If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets or you will be knocked out of the dollar system.”
“Baghdad and Muscat airports will no longer accept Iranian flights.”
