Full Breakdown
Iraq Suspends Iranian Flights Across All Major Airports Amid U.S. Sanctions Threat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Nationwide Halt of Iranian Airline Services
Iraqi authorities ordered the suspension of all flights operated by Iranian airlines at Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The bans at Erbil and Sulaymaniyah began on September 25, 2026, after earlier suspensions at Baghdad and Najaf that week. The move follows a U.S. warning that any airport or service provider handling Iranian carriers could face secondary sanctions.
Background & Context
The United States has intensified pressure on Iran’s aviation sector. On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against 36 entities linked to Iran’s aviation industry, including 27 Iranian airlines. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that, effective September 23, any global company doing business with Iranian airlines would be subject to sanctions, aiming to ground Iran’s civilian fleet. Iraqi ground-handling firms began refusing services to Iranian carriers out of fear of secondary penalties.
Timeline
- September 8, 2026 – U.S. Treasury announces sanctions on 36 aviation-related targets.
- September 23, 2026 – U.S. secondary-sanctions deadline for companies serving Iranian airlines.
- Mid-week, 2026 – Iraqi government orders the Civil Aviation Authority to halt Iranian flights to Baghdad; discussions about diverting those flights to Najaf emerge.
- September 25, 2026 – Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports suspend Iranian flights, completing the nationwide ban.
Data & Statistics
- Prior to the suspension, Najaf International Airport’s Wednesday schedule listed 18 of 20 flights destined for Iranian cities.
- The September 8 sanctions targeted 36 entities, of which 27 were Iranian airlines.
Official Statements & Responses
- Scott Bessent warned that airports and service providers continuing to support Iranian carriers could lose access to the U.S. dollar system and face “serious consequences.”
- Hussein Muhanna, director of Najaf International Airport, said flights were halted following a directive from the prime minister’s office, taking effect at 2:00 a.m. local time.
- The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization reported that flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat were canceled on September 23, but said other international routes would continue.
Criticism & Opposition
Iraqi observers said complying with U.S. sanctions would cause “significant economic losses” for sectors reliant on Iran-Iraq air travel, including tourism, medical treatment and education. Private travel firms warned that up to 90 % of their activity depends on Iranian flights, and a broad suspension could jeopardize salaries and operating expenses.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most outlets reported a complete halt, the Iranian news agency Tasnim cited an airport official who said no directive had been issued to stop flights at Najaf and that scheduled flights were proceeding. This contrasts with Iraqi officials’ statements confirming the suspension, highlighting unclear communication on the ground.
Why It Matters / Impact
The shutdown severs an air bridge that supports pilgrimages to Shia holy sites, patient transfers, student exchanges and family visits. With land routes remaining the only alternative, travelers lose a faster, more reliable option. Similar restrictions in the United Arab Emirates and Oman further isolate Iran’s civil aviation network and add to its economic challenges.