Full Breakdown
Iranian Airlines Keep Landing in Turkey Amid U.S. Sanctions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Flights Persist After Sanctions Deadline
In the weeks following the U.S. Treasury’s September sanctions that designated all remaining Iranian carriers, at least 83 flights operated by those airlines landed in Turkey. The arrivals occurred in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir and involved 12 carriers, with Iran Airtour and Caspian Airlines each accounting for a dozen landings. The continued operations took place after the Treasury’s wind-down deadline that warned service providers of loss of access to the U.S. financial system.
Background & Context: Sanctions Campaign and U.S.–Turkey Ties
The Treasury Department’s “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign, launched under Executive Order 13902, targeted Iran’s aviation sector for allegedly transporting weapons, personnel and illicit cargo. At the same time, President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to lift sanctions on Turkey and consider its return to the F-35 fighter-jet program, a move complicated by Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 system and related congressional restrictions.
Data & Statistics: Flight and Airline Details
- Total flights: >= 83 landings in Turkey after the deadline.
- Airlines involved: 12 sanctioned carriers, including Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines, Iran Air, ATA Airlines and AVA Airlines.
- Flight distribution: Iran Airtour and Caspian Airlines – 12 each; Iran Air – 10; ATA and AVA – 9 each.
- Turkish airline response: Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus have removed scheduled flights to Iran, while Mahan Air suspended its Turkey service.
Official Statements & Responses
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that companies providing fuel, landing or ground-handling services to sanctioned Iranian airlines after the deadline risk losing access to the U.S. financial system.
On-the-Ground Reports: Turkish Plane Seizure
Turkish bailiffs seized a Caspian Airlines Boeing 737 at Istanbul Airport while it was boarded for a flight to Iran, acting on a court order to enforce a €3 million debt owed to aviation services company ACM Temsil Gözetim. Passengers and crew were evacuated before the aircraft was returned to the terminal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The fact that sanctioned Iranian airlines continue to land in Turkey, despite Washington’s clear effort to restrict their operations, is a testament to Ankara’s willingness to take symbolic measures while turning a blind eye to much of Iran’s broader activity,” — Ahmad Sharawi
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Treasury spokesperson cites “tangible results” such as the cancellation of Mahan Air flights, while the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ flight-tracking data shows continued landings by other sanctioned carriers. Independent verification of the exact number of flights after the deadline is limited to the FDD analysis.
What’s Next
U.S. officials have not announced specific future dates or hearings.