U.S. Sanctions Threat Leads Iraq to Suspend Iranian Airline Flights

The United States has expanded its secondary-sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting entities that provide aviation services to Iranian carriers. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that, effective September 23, all Iranian airlines would be shut down through the threat of sanctions on fuel, landing and ticket-selling providers. The announcement follows earlier Treasury measures that restricted trade, energy and financial institutions linked to Tehran. Analysts note that while the U.S. cannot directly close foreign airspace, cutting off ground-handling and refuelling effectively blocks airline operations.

Al Jazeera (website)Iraq to ban Iranian airline flights over threat of US sanctions The Jerusalem Post

In response to the U.S. threat, the Iraqi government ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend flights by Iranian airlines to Baghdad Airport, with the ban taking effect at dawn on Tuesday. Sources indicate the suspension will begin at midnight on Wednesday. Iraq is also discussing diverting Iranian Airways flights from Baghdad to Najaf Airport. Simultaneously, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization confirmed that flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat have been cancelled, while other international routes, including Istanbul, will continue as scheduled. Iranian officials also reported ongoing negotiations with Oman regarding flight services.

The Jerusalem PostAl Jazeera (website)Iraq to ban Iranian airline flights over threat of US sanctions

• Scott Bessent (U.S.

Iraq to ban Iranian airline flights over threat of US sanctions

• The Iraqi government stated that the suspension aligns with the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision and that non-compliant countries risk secondary sanctions.

Iraq to ban Iranian airline flights over threat of US sanctions

• A spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said the agency is negotiating to redirect Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf Airport and that talks with Oman are ongoing.

The Jerusalem Post

• Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei argued that the U.S. approach will not achieve results, emphasizing Tehran’s readiness for a decisive stance.

Al Jazeera (website)

• “It is in Washington’s interest to accept these conditions,” — Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief “It is in Washington’s interest to accept these conditions,” — Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief

Al Jazeera (website)

The suspension curtails Iran’s regional air connectivity and signals a broader U.S. strategy of using secondary sanctions to pressure Tehran’s aviation sector. Iraq’s compliance illustrates the influence of U.S. financial leverage on neighboring states, while Iran’s attempts to reroute flights underscore the challenges of maintaining international airline operations under heightened sanctions.

Al Jazeera (website)