Iran airlines cancel flights to several international destinations after new US sanctions targeting the country’s aviation sector took effect. The measures have already disrupted routes to Iraq, Oman and other regional destinations.
A travel agent in Tehran told AFP that flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan had been suspended. However, some international routes remained available, including services to China.
The disruption follows a US campaign aimed at putting greater pressure on Iran’s economy. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously warned that Washington would target Iranian airlines and companies that continue providing services to them.
US Sanctions Target Iranian Aviation
The latest measures build on years of US sanctions against Iran’s aviation sector. This time, however, Washington has threatened companies outside Iran that continue to support Iranian carriers.
Bessent said foreign companies could face consequences if they refuel Iranian aircraft, provide landing services or sell tickets for Iranian airlines. He also warned that such companies could lose access to the US dollar system.
As a result, airlines and airports in other countries now face difficult choices when dealing with Iranian carriers.
The full impact remains uncertain. Several countries continue to operate flights involving Iran, while others have already suspended some services.
China Continues to Accept Iranian Flights
Despite the new sanctions, Iranian airlines have not stopped all international operations.
Flight tracking data showed a Mahan Air flight from Tehran arriving in Guangzhou, China, after the measures took effect. Tehran’s airport also listed a scheduled flight to Shanghai.
China has opposed the US sanctions and described them as illegal. That position could allow some Iranian carriers to maintain important links with the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, some flights to Istanbul also remained scheduled, although the Tehran travel agent said other services had been canceled.
Iran’s Regional Routes Face Disruption
Flights between Iran and neighboring countries face particular uncertainty.
Iranian media reported that Baghdad and Muscat airports would stop accepting Iranian flights. At the same time, Iranian authorities discussed moving some Baghdad services to Najaf, a major destination for Iranian religious pilgrims.
Reports from Najaf later indicated that Iranian flights were still operating. An airport source told Tasnim that no official order had arrived requiring a halt to those services.
Iraq’s position could still affect future flights. Reuters reported that Baghdad ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights to Baghdad after Washington threatened sanctions against airport service providers.
Travelers Face More Uncertainty
The latest restrictions could make international travel harder for Iranian passengers.
The Tehran travel agent said the situation remained unstable. The agent also said the company had stopped selling some tickets because of concerns over sudden cancellations.
For travelers heading to Iran or leaving the country, alternative routes may become increasingly important. Land crossings could offer another option for some destinations, although those journeys can take much longer.
At the same time, the continued operation of flights to China, Turkey, Armenia, the UAE and other destinations shows that the impact of the US measures is not uniform.
Ultimately, the coming days will show how many countries enforce the new restrictions and how widely the sanctions disrupt Iran’s international aviation network.
