Iranian airlines are facing a major threat to their international operations after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned they could effectively be shut out of global aviation services starting September 23.
The warning comes as Washington steps up economic pressure on Tehran, expanding its focus to target Iran’s aviation sector on a global scale.
What did the US Treasury say?
Speaking to CNBC on Monday, Bessent stated that all Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world from September 23.
He warned that foreign airports and companies continuing to service Iranian carriers could face severe consequences under the US sanctions regime. Providing support could expose these international companies to secondary sanctions and potentially cut them off from the US dollar financial system.
What does this mean for international flights?
The US announcement does not physically prevent Iranian aircraft from flying. Instead, the threat of secondary sanctions makes it highly difficult for airlines to obtain essential services outside of Iran.
According to the warning, services that could trigger penalties include:
Aircraft fuel
Airport landing and handling services
Ticketing and other commercial services
Financial services linked to international transactions
If foreign companies withdraw these services to avoid US penalties, Iranian carriers will face mounting difficulties in maintaining their international route networks.
Regional flight disruptions
The pressure is already impacting regional travel corridors. Turkish Airlines has suspended all flights to Iran until at least March 2027. A company representative noted there is no guarantee services will resume after that date. Turkey has traditionally served as one of the most accessible international destinations and transit hubs for Iranian travelers.
In neighboring Iraq, government sources indicated that Baghdad is preparing to suspend flights by Iranian airlines to avoid running afoul of the US decision. Iranian carrier Mahan Air has also suspended its services to Turkey.
What is Iran Air doing?
Despite the warnings, Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, announced it will continue its scheduled flights from Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan to Najaf in Iraq.
The key issue moving forward is whether fuel suppliers, ground handlers, and other foreign aviation companies will continue working with Iranian airlines despite the immediate risk of US secondary sanctions taking effect this week.
