Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Iranian Airlines Cancel International Flights as US Sanctions Take Effect
The United States added new sanctions against Iran’s airlines.
Sanctions are rules that make it harder for companies to do business.
The rules began affecting flights on Wednesday, September 23.
Some Iranian flights to nearby countries were canceled.
Other flights, including some to China, continued.
A travel agent said the situation was changing quickly and stopped selling some tickets.
The US says the measures are meant to pressure Iran’s government and weaken its economy.
China said the sanctions were unlawful, while the effect on Iranian travel remained uncertain.
Several Iranian international flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan were canceled on Wednesday, September 23.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new aviation-related sanctions on Monday to increase pressure on Tehran.
Flights to China continued, including a Mahan Air flight that landed in Guangzhou despite the restrictions.
Some flights to Istanbul were canceled, while routes to Najaf, Dubai, Turkey and Armenia remained available.
China called the US sanctions unlawful, while Iranian travel agents warned that ticket sales were becoming too risky because of possible cancellations.
- Who
- Iranian airlines, the US Treasury led by Secretary Scott Bessent, and countries that may cooperate with Iranian carriers.
- What
- New US aviation sanctions took effect, prompting cancellations and uncertainty over several international routes.
- When
- The sanctions were announced Monday and began affecting flights on Wednesday, September 23.
- Where
- The disruptions involved Tehran and routes to Baghdad, Muscat, Istanbul, China, Qatar, Georgia, Azerbaijan and other destinations.
- Why
- The US said the measures were intended to pressure Tehran and weaken Iran’s economy by targeting its aviation sector.
US Sanctions Rationale
Opposition and Travel Concerns
Purpose of the measures
US Sanctions Rationale
The US says the sanctions are intended to pressure Tehran, weaken Iran’s economy and deter other countries from cooperating with Iranian airlines.
Opposition and Travel Concerns
China called the sanctions unlawful and opposed them; their overall impact remains uncertain because enforcement by other countries is unclear.
Effect on passengers
US Sanctions Rationale
The US measures target aviation-related services and financial access for Iranian carriers.
Opposition and Travel Concerns
Travel agents and Iranian state media reported cancellations, unstable schedules and greater difficulty for Iranians traveling internationally or returning home.
- Sanctions announced
- Monday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Initial impact
- Several Iranian international flights were canceled on Wednesday, September 23.
- Canceled destinations reported
- Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
- Routes still operating
- Some flights to China, Najaf, Dubai, Turkey and Armenia continued.
- Mahan Air
- A Mahan Air flight landed in Guangzhou, China, according to FlightRadar24.
- US warning
- Bessent warned that fueling, servicing or selling tickets for Iranian flights could lead to exclusion from the dollar-based financial system.
- China’s position
- Beijing said it considered the US sanctions unlawful and opposed them.