New US sanctions on Iran’s aviation industry were announced on September 21, 2026, targeting Iranian carriers such as Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Varesh. The sanctions took effect on September 23, making it illegal to provide fuel, landing services, or sell tickets to Iranian airlines; US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that violating these rules would result in exclusion from the dollar system.
Flight Suspensions Affect Multiple Regional Routes
On September 23, Iranian airlines cancelled flights to Baghdad Airport in Iraq, Muscat Airport in Oman, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Flights to Dubai Airport in the United Arab Emirates also faced suspensions. Travel agents in Tehran stopped
selling tickets amid these cancellations, with disruptions confirmed across multiple regional destinations.
Flights to China and Turkey Continue While Negotiations Underway
Mahan Air continued operating flights to China as scheduled, including a flight landing in Guangzhou and another departing for Shanghai from Tehran International Airport on September 23. Flights to Istanbul Airport, Turkey, remained partially operational with some cancellations. Iranian aviation authorities are negotiating to reroute flights originally bound for Baghdad to Najaf Airport, Iraq. As of September 23, Najaf airport sources reported no official order to halt Iranian flights, and Iranian flights to Najaf were operating normally.
Travel Agents Report Reduced Ticket Sales Amid Uncertainty
An unnamed travel agent in Tehran stated, “The situation is unstable
and we are no longer selling tickets for the time being for fear of cancellations.” Najaf travel agent Haidar Shamaa noted, “Most travel companies in the city depend on booking flights,” and said the flight suspensions have caused difficulties for local operators and customers, some of whom are considering switching to land routes.
Official Statements Confirm Partial Compliance and Enforcement Uncertainty
A civil aviation spokesperson cited by Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Baghdad and Muscat airports will no longer accept Iranian flights. The same source confirmed other international flights, including those to Istanbul, were operating as usual. Baghdad had not publicly announced enforcement of the flight bans but
was expected to comply with US sanctions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated on September 21, “If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets or you will be knocked out of the dollar system.”
Iran Air was seen operating a Boeing 747-200 as recently as August 24, 2026, parked at Macau International Airport. Mahan Air, a major Iranian carrier, runs flights to Kabul Airport, Afghanistan, where a Mahan Air flight was expected to arrive Tehran around midday September 23, 2026. These details highlight the breadth of Iran’s
international aviation network amid growing US restrictions.
