First Iran flights cancelled as US sanctions set to come into force

Tehran - Iran's civil aviation authorities have announced the cancellation of flights to Baghdad and Muscat, the capitals of Iraq and Oman, respectively, ahead of the implementation of expanded US sanctions on the Iranian aviation sector. Tasnim news agency reported the decision, citing a civil aviation spokesman, stating that Baghdad and Muscat airports will no longer accept Iranian flights from midnight local time.

The cancellation affects other international flights, including routes to Istanbul, which are expected to proceed as normal, according to Tasnim. Iran's aviation authorities are reportedly in negotiations with Baghdad and Oman to reroute flights to Najaf, a significant destination for Iranian pilgrims, and to Muscat, respectively.

In Iraq, the government has not yet announced plans to enforce the ban, but a senior government official confirmed to AFP that Baghdad would comply. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Iranian airlines would face difficulties operating under the weight of American sanctions, stating that all Iranian airlines would be shut down globally as of Wednesday.

Iran is home to 27 airlines, with Iran Air and Mahan Air being the two main providers of international routes. Iran Air and Mahan Air, the national carrier and a private company, operate mainly to neighboring countries and international destinations such as Russia and China. Recent sanctions have already targeted the Iranian aviation sector, and other countries have followed suit, including Georgia, which recently barred Iranian carriers, while Mahan Air has suspended services to Turkey at the request of the Turkish government.

The sanctions, imposed in the wake of Israeli-American strikes on Iran at the end of February, have effectively closed Iran's airspace, with only Iranian carriers allowing passengers to depart from the country. In response, Iran and Oman are reportedly discussing alternative routes for pilgrims.