{
  "id": 9318063,
  "title": "Iran airlines cancel flights as US sanctions hit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/iran-airlines-cancel-flights-as-us-sanctions-hit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T10:33:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/23/iran-airlines-cancel-flights-as-us-sanctions-hit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian airlines were compelled to cancel several international flights on Wednesday following the US government's decision to impose new sanctions on Iran's aviation industry. A travel agent in Tehran revealed that flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan had been suspended, while routes to other destinations, including China, remained operational. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, announced these measures as part of a broader strategy to pressure Iran following their prolonged conflict. However, Iran's aviation sector has been under sanctions for years, leaving uncertain the full extent of impact and potential responses from other nations. Despite these new restrictions, a Mahan Air flight from Tehran did land in Guangzhou, China, according to FlightRadar24 data. China had previously expressed opposition to the US sanctions, deeming them unlawful. Still, the situation remains uncertain, and travel agents in Tehran have ceased selling tickets out of fear of further cancellations.",
  "summary": "US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector on Monday as part of an earlier threat to impose 'economic D-Day' on Tehran.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Iran suspends all flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan due to sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/iran-suspends-all-flights-to-baghdad-muscat-qatar-georgia-and",
        "published": "2026-09-23T09:34:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Iran airlines suspend more international flights as US sanctions take effect",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/iran-airlines-suspend-more-international-flights-as-us-sanctions-take",
        "published": "2026-09-23T10:27:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran airlines cancel flights as US sanctions hit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/iran-airlines-cancel-flights-as-us-sanctions-hit-9323862",
        "published": "2026-09-23T10:33:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}