Brief
US sanctions target 27 Iranian airlines, crippling regional flights
The Treasury's September 8 designations cut off most Iranian airlines from airspace and services, prompting widespread cancellations.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The U.S. Treasury announced on September 8 that it had designated 27 Iranian airlines, expanding sanctions that already covered carriers such as Iran Air and Mahan. The move blocks the airlines from using U.S. airspace and threatens secondary sanctions on foreign firms that provide fuel, landing or ticket services, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
Following the designations, neighboring airports in Oman, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iraq’s Baghdad Airport stopped serving Iranian carriers, while a few flights to Najaf continued. All but a handful of flights to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and China were cancelled, and Turkish Airlines announced a suspension of its Iran service until at least March 2027. Qatar Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa have also halted operations to Iran.
Experts say the sanctions force Iranian airlines to rely on third‑country intermediaries for fuel and parts, further limiting their ability to maintain ageing fleets.
Key facts
- The U.S. Treasury designated 27 Iranian airlines on September 8, expanding existing sanctions. (aljazeera.com)
- Airports in Oman, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Baghdad stopped serving Iranian carriers after the designations. (aljazeera.com)
- Turkish Airlines suspended flights to Iran until at least March 2027; Qatar Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa also halted services. (aljazeera.com)
- Travelers are increasingly forced to use overland routes as air options shrink. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “US aviation sanctions disrupt Iran flights, push travellers overland”
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