The restrictions on international flights of Iranian passenger planes are rapidly expanding. Recently, it was announced that flights to and from Iran from Najaf, Sulaymaniyah, and Erbil airports in Iraq will be suspended. These developments come in the wake of new sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury against Iranian airlines, which had previously resulted in the suspension of flights to Baghdad Airport.
Suspension of Flights from Iraqi Airports
Ramin Kashaf Azar, the CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, stated in an interview with domestic media that "as of 2 a.m. today (Friday), it was announced that Najaf Airport is closed to Iranian flights." He also added that "no new decision has been made regarding the resumption of these flights." This news comes as officials at Najaf Airport prevented passengers from boarding a flight of the "Mahran" airline to Mashhad, and the plane returned to Tehran without passengers.
Sulaymaniyah and Erbil airports will also suspend Iranian flights starting Friday, October 25. Meanwhile, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman have also canceled their flights to and from Iran in recent days. However, flights of Iranian planes to other destinations, including Istanbul, continue, and several passenger planes from Iranian airlines, including Iran Air and Qeshm Air, landed today at Istanbul International Airport.
Consequences of U.S. Air Sanctions
While some countries have refrained from providing services to Iranian airlines, Iranian officials have threatened that "if flights are cut off, no country in the region will be able to fly." Mohammad Mokhber, advisor and assistant to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, reiterated the position of the Secretary of Iran's National Security Council, stating: "If Iran cannot fly and receive airport services, no country in the region will have that capability either." Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, also warned neighboring countries that "if they comply with U.S. air sanctions, their airports will also not be able to operate flights."
Two days ago, the U.S. imposed new restrictions on countries that cooperate with Iranian airlines. 27 Iranian airlines have been placed on the sanctions list, and these sanctions came into effect on September 23 (October 1). According to Scott Basset, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, companies that do not comply with these sanctions will lose access to the dollar system.
Despite this, several countries continue to cooperate with Iranian airlines. In addition to Turkey, flights of Iranian airlines to various cities in China are still ongoing. Meanwhile, a flight of the Varsh airline to Dushanbe in Tajikistan, which returned to Tehran yesterday due to not being allowed to pass through Turkmenistan's airspace, was completed via another route, with over 90 passengers traveling from Iran through Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to Tajikistan. On the return flight, 90 passengers departed from Dushanbe to Tehran.
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