US global aviation sanctions take effect, triggering Iranian flight cancellations to Iraq and Oman

Far-reaching United States secondary sanctions targeting Iran's commercial aviation industry came into force on Wednesday, prompting Iranian airlines to cancel flights to key regional destinations including Iraq and Oman.

The restrictions, announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, seek to effectively halt global operations for all Iranian carriers by penalizing foreign airports and ground handling companies that service them.

What specific measures did the US Treasury impose on Iranian aviation?

Under the expanded sanctions framework, foreign airports, refueling agencies, ground handling contractors, and ticketing vendors are prohibited from servicing Iranian aircraft. Treasury Secretary Bessent warned that any non-US entity providing operational support, fuel, or sales assistance to Iranian airlines "will be knocked out of the dollar system".

According to Al Jazeera, the measures build on earlier Treasury sanctions that added 27 Iranian commercial carriers to the Specially Designated Nationals List, citing logistics and transport support provided to military entities. The enforcement strategy relies on secondary sanctions to pressure foreign aviation authorities and private operators into denying access to Iranian aircraft without requiring direct US airspace closures.

How have Iranian carriers and regional airports responded to the sanctions?

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization confirmed late Tuesday that flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat would cease as of midnight, with airports in Iraq and Oman complying with US directives.

Civil aviation officials noted that negotiations are underway to redirect certain Iraqi routes to Najaf Airport to accommodate religious pilgrims, while other international routes—including flights to Istanbul—continue operating as scheduled for now.

Prior to the enforcement deadline, Georgia barred Iranian airlines from its airspace, while private Iranian carrier Mahan Air suspended flights to Turkey following a request from Turkish authorities.

In response to the US measures, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the sanctions, reaffirming Beijing's opposition to unilateral economic restrictions lacking UN Security Council authorization.