Iran says international flights continue despite US sanctions pressure
Iran says its airlines are continuing to operate international routes despite growing restrictions linked to new US sanctions.
Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, said on Monday that Iranian airlines have not canceled their international flights and are operating according to schedule.
“So far, none of the international flights of Iranian airlines have been canceled, and they are being operated according to schedule. Any change to flight schedules will be communicated to passengers in advance,” Akhavan said.
He added that authorities are holding consultations and making arrangements to keep international services running.
Iran Air, the country’s national carrier, also said it has received no official notification from aviation authorities in Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Iraq ordering it to suspend flights to Istanbul, Baku or Najaf. The airline said those routes would continue unless it received new instructions.
The assurances came as Washington prepares to intensify pressure on Iran’s aviation sector.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would effectively be shut out of international operations from September 23, warning that foreign airports, fuel suppliers and other companies providing services to the carriers could face US secondary sanctions.
The US Treasury announced on September 8 that it had sanctioned 36 entities connected to Iran’s aviation sector under what it called “Operation Economic Outcast,” including all remaining Iranian commercial airlines and foreign companies accused of supporting their operations.
The measures have already affected some international connections. Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Pegasus have suspended flights to Iran, with Turkish Airlines and AJet showing no Iran services in their booking systems before March 2027.
Iranian airlines have also faced restrictions on some routes. Flights to Baghdad and Muscat were due to be canceled amid negotiations with Iraqi and Omani authorities, while Tehran has been seeking alternatives for passengers traveling to Iraq.
The US economic coercion against civilian aviation follows the catastrophic failure of its broader military objectives.
Since launching an unprovoked US-Israeli war of aggression in late February, Washington has failed to achieve its stated goals.
Instead of capitulating, Iran has seized the strategic initiative. By asserting sovereign control over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has effectively expelled the US from the Persian Gulf region.
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