Iran airlines suspend more international flights as US sanctions take effect

Iranian airlines were compelled to cancel several international flights on September 23 due to the United States tightening sanctions on the country's aviation industry. Travel agents in Tehran reported that routes to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan had been suspended, while flights to multiple other destinations, including China, remained operational.

The new measures were announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as part of a broader effort to impose "economic D-Day" on Iran following their ongoing conflict. Iran's aviation sector has faced sanctions for years, and it remains uncertain how the new sanctions will affect the industry and whether other nations will adhere to the restrictions.

Despite the new sanctions taking effect, Mahan Air, one of Iran's largest carriers, managed to land a flight in Guangzhou, China, according to FlightRadar24 tracking data. China had previously stated that the US sanctions were illegal. A flight to Shanghai was also set to depart on Wednesday, according to data from Tehran's international airport.

Some flights to Istanbul were scheduled, although others had been canceled, the travel agent told AFP. The travel agent expressed concern over the situation, stating that they were halting ticket sales due to the uncertainty surrounding cancellations. A Mahan flight from Kabul was expected to arrive in Tehran around midday. Other connections to Turkey and Armenia were still possible through smaller Iranian airlines, such as Varesh.

Flights to Najaf in Iraq and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates were also set to operate. Bessent vowed to "shut down" Iranian carriers and punish any country doing business with them, warning that airlines would lose access to the dollar system if they landed in their countries. The restrictions would complicate travel for Iranians, both those seeking to leave the country and those returning.

Pilgrims were also impacted, with media reports indicating cancellations for flights to Baghdad and Muscat, with the government in Iraq reportedly considering compliance with the US measures.