Overview
- The Treasury expanded sanctions that took effect on Sept. 23 and prompted several countries to suspend or restrict services to Iranian carriers, including reported bans on flights to Baghdad and Muscat.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures work by warning fuel suppliers, ground handlers and ticket agents that servicing Iranian planes could get them cut off from the dollar-based financial system.
- Compliance has been uneven because some destinations continued to accept Iranian flights, with tracking data showing at least one Mahan Air landing in Guangzhou after the U.S. deadline.
- Iran warned of reciprocal steps against neighbouring airports that co-operate with the U.S. move, and China publicly condemned the sanctions as illegal, raising the odds of wider diplomatic friction.
- The sanctions have immediate human effects for pilgrims and patients and could force more land travel and reroutes to smaller airports such as Najaf, while their ultimate impact will depend on whether major third-party providers and governments comply.