Iranian airlines continued canceling international flights through Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as new US sanctions took effect. Many routes have been affected, though notably, some countries are proceeding largely unfazed.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced secondary sanctions targeting countries that continue serving Iranian flights, an effort aimed at pressuring Iran into compliance following nearly seven months of ongoing conflict.
That said, Iran’s aviation sector has actually been a sanctions target for years already. It remains unclear what the full impact of this latest round will be, or whether other countries will actually comply.
Some Routes Down, Others Still Flying
A travel agent in Tehran told AFP that all flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan have been suspended, but routes to several other destinations remain available, including China.
Even after the new sanctions took effect Wednesday, a flight from Tehran operated by Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest airlines, landed in Guangzhou, China, according to tracking data from Flightradar24.
China Pushes Back Against the Sanctions
China stated on Tuesday that it opposes the US sanctions, calling them illegal. A flight to Shanghai was also still scheduled to depart Wednesday, according to Tehran’s international airport.
Several flights to Istanbul remained scheduled as well, even as others were canceled, travel agents told AFP.
“The situation is unstable, and we’ve temporarily stopped selling tickets out of fear of cancellations,” said one agent, who requested anonymity.
What’s Still Operating
A Mahan Air flight from Kabul was also expected to arrive in Tehran around midday. According to Tehran international airport’s website, other connections to Turkey and Armenia remained possible using smaller Iranian carriers, including Varesh.
Flights to Najaf in Iraq and Dubai in the UAE were also still scheduled at the time of reporting.
Washington’s Warning to the World
Bessent vowed on Monday to “shut down” Iranian airlines and punish anyone doing business with them.
“If they land, you cannot give them fuel, you cannot give them landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be cut off from the dollar system,” he warned other countries.
The Human Cost of the Restrictions
These restrictions are expected to make it increasingly difficult for Iranian citizens to travel abroad or return to their home country.
What This Means for Anyone Traveling To or From Iran
With compliance varying significantly by country, China and several smaller carriers continuing operations while Gulf and Central Asian neighbors suspend flights entirely, anyone with Iran-related travel plans should expect a patchwork of availability that could shift day to day.
Checking directly with your specific airline immediately before travel, rather than relying on general news about the sanctions, remains the safest way to know whether your particular route is still operating.
