{
  "id": 9218970,
  "title": "First Iran flights cancelled as US sanctions set to come into force",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/first-iran-flights-cancelled-as-us-sanctions-set-to-come-into-force-9218970",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T21:48:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/23/first-iran-flights-cancelled-as-us-sanctions-set-to-come-into-force"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As midnight approached in Tehran, local media reported that flights from Iran to the capitals of Iraq and Oman would cease operations. According to the Tasnim news agency, Baghdad and Muscat airports would no longer permit Iranian flights. The agency quoted a civil aviation spokesman, stating that international flights, including those to Istanbul, would operate as usual with no issues reported. Iran's aviation authorities were reportedly discussing alternative routes for Baghdad flights, potentially to Najaf, a significant destination for Iranian pilgrims. Negotiations with Oman were also ongoing. In Iraq, the government had not yet announced plans to enforce the ban, but a senior government official spoke to AFP, indicating compliance. The United States had blacklisted the Iranian aviation sector the previous month and threatened sanctions against any foreign organization collaborating with Iran's airlines. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Monday that Iranian airlines would face significant challenges operating starting Wednesday due to these American sanctions. Iran Air and Mahan Air, the national and private carrier respectively, are the two main providers of international routes, primarily to neighboring countries and occasionally to Russia and China. The restrictions have exacerbated the difficulties Iranians face in traveling abroad or returning to their country. Georgia had barred Iranian carriers, while Mahan Air suspended services to Turkey at the request of the Turkish government. These restrictions have further complicated Iranians' ability to travel internationally or return to their homeland. The Israeli-American strikes on Iran at the end of February led to the complete closure of the country's airspace, with traffic resuming partially since then, but only Iranian carriers allow passengers to leave Iran.",
  "summary": "The Tasnim news agency cited a civil aviation spokesman as saying that 'Baghdad and Muscat airports will no longer accept Iranian flights'.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "First Iran flights cancelled as US sanctions set to come into force",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/first-iran-flights-cancelled-as-us-sanctions-set-to-come-into-force",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:22:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Binance faces US criminal probe over Iran sanctions violations | What we know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/binance-faces-us-criminal-probe-over-iran-sanctions-violations-what",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:36:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "First Iran flights cancelled as US sanctions set to come into force",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/first-iran-flights-cancelled-as-us-sanctions-set-to-come-into-force-9216252",
        "published": "2026-09-22T21:48:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "US prosecutors probing Binance for possible Iran sanctions violations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/us-prosecutors-probing-binance-for-possible-iran-sanctions-violations",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:11:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "First Iran flights cancelled as US sanctions set to come into force",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/first-iran-flights-cancelled-as-us-sanctions-set-to-come-into-force-9225920",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:28:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Iran flights to Baghdad, Muscat cancelled ahead of US aviation sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/iran-flights-to-baghdad-muscat-cancelled-ahead-of-us-aviation",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:46:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}