The US has announced sanctions that could effectively shut down Iranian airlines from international operations, targeting the entire aviation supply chain.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Iranian airlines will be barred from international operations starting September 23. Companies are being warned against providing services such as fuel, landing, or ticket sales to the carriers, as part of a broader effort to isolate Iran’s aviation sector. The sanctions target not only airlines but also the entire operations chain, including ground services and financial transactions.
The move is part of a broader effort to pressure Iran’s economy, which has already been weakened by decades of sanctions. Iranian carriers, including Mahan Air and Iran Air, have limited international routes, with some suspending services following recent sanctions against 36 foreign companies linked to the aviation sector. Mahan Air, the country’s most popular carrier, has suspended flights to and from Istanbul, Ankara, Muscat, and Tehran due to the sanctions. Iran Air, the national flag carrier, has seen its international network shrink significantly, with only a few routes remaining. The economic pressure on the aviation sector is described by Iran Air’s CEO as spreading like metastasising cancer.
Why it matters
The sanctions may disrupt international travel and cargo routes reliant on Iranian carriers.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Watch whether international airlines comply with the sanctions by ceasing cooperation with Iranian carriers.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.