Iran’s aviation sector is now faced with a greater challenge than ever before due to the imposition of further sanctions by the US as well as bans by other nations on flights operated by Iranian airlines. The sanctions have affected not only the airlines but also various partners such as airports, fuel suppliers, ground handling companies, and ticketing firms that support airline operations abroad.
The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that no foreign carriers will be able to operate from Iran soon due to the risk of secondary sanctions. In addition, treasury companies that provide important services for Iranian airlines could also find it difficult to work in the US financial system due to the sanctions.
The US Treasury had first imposed the ban on September 8 and the number of individuals and companies which comprise the sanctions was as high as 36.
Mahan Air Has Suffered Immediate Effects
Mahan Air has faced major effects already. It cancelled flights to Istanbul and Ankara as of September 21 after the announcement by Turkish aviation officials. Furthermore, the airline halted its Muscat operations on September 17 when Omani authorities put restrictions on its flights.
Georgia has put restrictions on some flights from Iran, while Iraq has prepared to ban Iranian flights to Baghdad. Iranian aviation representatives have discussed redirecting some flights intended for Baghdad to the city of Najaf, which has a large number of Iranian pilgrims.
As the new US restrictive measures came into action, flights from Iran to Baghdad and Muscat were likely cancelled already, although Iranian officials stated that they had other international flights scheduled at that time, including flights to Istanbul.
Aviation and Airport Services Also Affected
The recent restrictions put pressure on not only airlines but also airports. Bessent warned that foreign companies engaged in fuel, landing services, ground management, as well as ticket sales for Iranian companies may also face penalties in the US.
The US may not be able to directly close a foreign nation’s airspace, but with restrictions in place on the services an aircraft can utilize after landing, that could render flying internationally much more difficult. As noted by aviation analysts, this method of restricting Iranian airlines enables the US to impose limitations without overtly controlling airspace.
Fewer Choices for Travelers
For travelers, the implications of these constraints are that there may be fewer direct flights available, potentially making their journeys more complicated. People who travel to and from Iran may increasingly have to look for alternate airlines, longer layovers, and cancellations.
Iran’s international aviation network was already suffering from years of sanctions and operational challenges. The restrictions are a new challenge to an already fragile system by crippling the entire infrastructure necessary for international routes to be operational.
For the time being, some international flights remain operational and there are countries like China and Russia that keep different approaches to Iranian aviation. However, the events of September 2026 show just how dynamic the number of international connections can become when airlines and their foreign providers face pressure, be it financial or regulatory.
