Iranian airlines cancel international flights after US sanctions tighten

September 24, 2026 at 06:31 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Iranian airlines cancelled part of their international flights after the United States tightened sanctions on the country's aviation industry. The US Treasury on September 8 added 36 entities, including 27 airlines, to its sanctions list, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on September 21 that Iranian carriers would be effectively cut off from international operations starting September 23. Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Baghdad airport have already suspended Iranian flights.

Key Facts

The US Treasury on September 8 added 36 entities, including 27 airlines, to its sanctions list over Iran's aviation sector.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on September 21 that Iranian carriers would be effectively cut off from international operations starting September 23.
Georgia suspended flights by Iranian carriers from September 21, and Azerbaijan announced a suspension from September 22.
Baghdad airport stopped accepting Iranian flights from the morning of September 23, and Muscat is not receiving Iranian passengers.
Turkish Airlines halted all flights to Iran until at least March 2027, while Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines cancelled flights until at least October 24.

US Sanctions Expansion

On September 8, the US Treasury added 36 entities linked to Iranian aviation, including 27 airlines, to its sanctions list. The Treasury said the sector had been used to transport weapons, military cargo, and illicit goods. On September 21, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that from September 23 Iranian carriers would be effectively deprived of international operations. In an interview with CNBC, Bessent said all Iranian airlines would be shut down worldwide and threatened to cut off from the dollar system anyone who refuels, services, or sells tickets to their aircraft. He called the measures part of a promised 'economic D-Day' for Iran after nearly seven months of war.

Flight Suspensions

Georgia suspended flights by Iranian carriers from September 21, and Azerbaijan announced a suspension from September 22. According to Iran's civil aviation authority, Baghdad airport stopped accepting Iranian flights from the morning of September 23, and Muscat in Oman is not receiving Iranian passengers. The suspensions particularly affect pilgrims flying to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. Foreign airlines are also halting flights: Turkish Airlines stopped all flights to Iran until at least March 2027. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines cancelled flights until at least October 24, Emirates is not flying to Tehran, and Qatar Airways plans to resume flights from November 29 without guarantees.