The USA is threatening to shut down Iranian airlines worldwide – the first effects are becoming apparent
Quick Look
- The US has announced that it will cripple Iranian airlines worldwide by imposing sanctions on fuel deliveries and ground handling.
- One day before it comes into force, Iranian sources reported that flights at Baghdad airport were canceled by a British company due to fear of punishment.
- Oman has also stopped Iranian flights, while Georgia is closing its airspace and Turkey is asking Mahan Air to suspend flights.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The US has announced tougher sanctions against Iranian airlines, which will come into force from September 23rd. The aim is to deny fuel and ground handling to Iranian airlines worldwide by threatening countries that provide support with exclusion from the dollar system.
The USA wants to “paralyze Iranian airlines worldwide”. Anyone who provides them with kerosene or takes over the handling will be punished with harsh sanctions. Now the US government's threat is having an effect - a British company is also reacting.
According to Iranian sources, tightened US sanctions against Iranian airlines had already had an impact on air traffic in the region just one day before they came into force. Baghdad airport is operated by "a British company that, out of fear of sanctions," had already ordered the "restriction and cancellation" of Iranian flights on Tuesday, the spokesman for Iranian civil aviation said, according to the state news agency Irna.
Iraqi government circles said that Baghdad would comply with the US measure. Iranian civil aviation hopes to reroute flights canceled from Baghdad to the airport in Najaf, a holy city in the center of the neighboring country popular with Iranian pilgrims, according to its spokesman.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in Washington on Monday that Iranian airlines would be "crippled worldwide" from September 23rd. He threatened all countries with exclusion from the dollar system if they provided Iran with kerosene for its aircraft or took over ground handling.
According to the US Treasury Department, the new sanctions are aimed at all Iranian airlines that have not previously been affected by them. A total of 36 Iranian airlines and aviation companies in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia and Kazakhstan are affected.
In addition to Baghdad, Oman's capital Muscat is no longer accepting Iranian aircraft, reported the Iranian news agency Tasnim. The remaining international flights, “including flights to Istanbul”, will therefore take place “as planned”. The Isna news agency also reported on Tuesday evening about negotiations with the Omani authorities. Iran's state airline Iran Air had previously said it had not received any official instructions from Turkey, Azerbaijan or Iraq regarding a suspension of flights.
The Caucasus country of Georgia has banned all Iranian flights in its airspace since Monday. The private Iranian airline Mahan Air announced that it had initiated the suspension of all its flights to the neighboring country at the request of the Turkish authorities.
There are 27 airlines in Iran. Most of them offer domestic flights. Iran Air and Mahan Air are the two most important airlines with international connections - primarily to neighboring countries, but also to Russia and China. Beijing said on Tuesday it rejected "unilateral, illegal sanctions."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
More countries are threatening to restrict or stop Iranian flights due to US sanctions.
Likely · Within weeks
Iran will seek to reroute canceled international flights to alternative airports such as Najaf.
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- How effective will the sanctions be in enforcement by third countries?
- Will the Najaf diversion attempt be able to maintain air traffic for Iranian pilgrims?
- How will European companies respond to US threats?
- Will China translate its criticism into concrete steps?
