Overview
- The new U.S. sanctions package and public threats of secondary penalties took effect Wednesday and prompted immediate operational moves by airlines and authorities.
- Azerbaijan’s flag carrier Azal said it suspended all Iranian flights starting Sept. 22 in response to the U.S. measures.
- Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced cancellations of Tehran–Baghdad and Tehran–Muscat services from midnight on Sept. 23 and said some Baghdad flights could be diverted to Najaf as officials discuss alternative airport arrangements.
- Flight-tracking data showed a Mahan Air A340 landed in Guangzhou on Sept. 23, illustrating that some long-haul Iranian services are still operating despite the new U.S. pressure.
- The Treasury warned that firms supplying fuel, ground handling, landing services or ticketing to Iranian planes risk losing access to dollar-based financial networks, which could force wider route suspensions, strand passengers and shift regional aviation ties after earlier sanctions imposed two weeks ago.