A new U.S. sanctions campaign against Iran’s aviation sector is creating the possibility of a major disruption to Iranian international air travel, with Washington warning foreign companies that continue providing essential services to Iranian airlines could face restrictions themselves.

The development follows a sweeping action by the U.S. Treasury Department that placed 27 Iranian airlines under sanctions, alongside companies and intermediaries accused by Washington of supporting Iran’s aviation networks. The measures form part of the broader U.S. “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign aimed at increasing economic pressure on Tehran.

Why Iranian Airlines Are Under Pressure

Iran’s aviation industry has faced restrictions for decades. Sanctions have limited airlines’ ability to acquire aircraft, replacement parts, technology and other aviation services from Western suppliers.

The latest U.S. measures expand those restrictions considerably. Treasury said the September action targeted 36 entities connected with Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 airlines and companies involved in aviation support and procurement. Washington says Iranian aviation networks have been used to transport weapons, personnel and other material connected to Iran’s military activities.

Among the airlines newly designated by the U.S. are Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Qeshm Air, Kish Air, Karun Airlines, Chabahar Airlines, Fly Persia, Taban Airlines, Sepehran Airlines, Varesh Airlines and Zagros Airlines.

Could Washington Actually Stop Iranian Airlines Worldwide?

The United States cannot simply close airports in other countries or directly cancel another country’s airline operations everywhere.

However, Washington can make international operations substantially more difficult by threatening sanctions against companies that provide important services to sanctioned Iranian carriers.

Those services can include fuel, aircraft servicing, ground handling, ticketing, financial services and other forms of commercial support.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said foreign companies assisting Iranian airlines could risk losing access to the U.S. financial system. U.S. officials have indicated that the new pressure could effectively prevent Iranian airlines from maintaining normal international operations.

This distinction is important: the policy is not the same as a worldwide legal ban imposed by a global aviation authority. Instead, it relies heavily on the reach of U.S. sanctions and the importance of the dollar-based international financial system.

Mahan Air Faces Particular Scrutiny

Mahan Air has been under U.S. sanctions for years and remains one of Iran’s most internationally connected carriers.

The U.S. Treasury has accused the airline of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and facilitating the movement of personnel and military equipment. Washington has also targeted businesses that it says provide commercial and logistical assistance to Mahan Air.

Recent restrictions have already affected the airline’s international network. Mahan Air suspended services to destinations including Istanbul, Ankara and Muscat amid increasing pressure and difficulties obtaining services abroad.

Iran’s International Network Is Shrinking

The impact is particularly significant because Iranian airlines already operate a much smaller international network than they once did.

Iran Air, the country’s national carrier, previously served numerous European destinations. Years of sanctions and more recent restrictions have sharply reduced that network. Recent route information indicated that its remaining international services were concentrated on a small number of destinations, including locations in Iraq and Turkey.

Other Iranian carriers have maintained links with countries across the Middle East and Asia.

The route map shown in the supplied graphic highlights connections involving countries such as Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

These routes are important because Iran’s airlines depend heavily on neighboring countries and Asian destinations for international connectivity.

Neighboring Countries Face a Difficult Choice

The sanctions also put pressure on airports, aviation companies and governments outside Iran.

If a foreign airport continues providing services to a sanctioned Iranian airline, companies involved could potentially face exposure to U.S. sanctions.

That creates a difficult choice for countries that maintain commercial and diplomatic relationships with Tehran.

Some governments have already restricted Iranian flights. Iran announced the cancellation of flights to Baghdad and Muscat after authorities in those countries indicated that Iranian flights would no longer be accepted under the changing circumstances. Iranian authorities said they were discussing alternative arrangements, including redirecting some Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf.

At the same time, Iran continues to have aviation links with countries that have not adopted the same approach toward U.S. sanctions. Recent reporting indicates that China and Russia remain important destinations for Iranian carriers.

What It Could Mean for Passengers

A prolonged international aviation squeeze could have consequences beyond airlines themselves.

Passengers could face:

• Fewer international destinations
• Flight cancellations and schedule changes
• Reduced access to connecting flights
• Higher travel costs
• Greater dependence on foreign carriers
• Difficulty obtaining refunds or alternative transportation
• Longer travel routes through limited remaining hubs

The consequences could be particularly significant for Iranian students, business travelers, medical travelers, families and people who rely on international air connections.

Iran’s aviation industry was already operating under substantial constraints because of aging aircraft and difficulties obtaining replacement parts. Additional restrictions on fuel, maintenance and ground services could further complicate operations.

The Economic Dimension

The aviation measures are part of a much wider U.S. strategy targeting Iran’s economy.

Washington has been increasing pressure on financial institutions, companies and international networks that it says help Iran circumvent sanctions or maintain revenue and procurement channels. The Treasury Department has described the campaign as an effort to restrict the financial lifelines available to the Iranian government.

For Iran, aviation is both an economic sector and an important connection to the outside world.

A reduction in international flights could affect tourism, trade, business travel and the movement of people and goods.

A Growing Divide Over Iran Policy

The aviation dispute also illustrates the wider international disagreement over U.S. policy toward Iran.

Washington argues that stronger sanctions are necessary to restrict Iranian military and procurement networks. Iranian authorities and other critics have disputed U.S. policies and the broader economic consequences of sanctions.

The effectiveness of the new measures will therefore depend partly on how many countries and companies comply with U.S. restrictions and how successfully Iranian airlines can maintain alternative routes and service arrangements.

For now, the pressure on Iran’s aviation sector is increasing rapidly. The central question is no longer simply whether Iranian airlines are sanctioned by Washington, but how far those sanctions can affect their ability to operate internationally through third-country airports and service providers.

If foreign aviation companies broadly withdraw fuel, maintenance, ground-handling and other services, Iranian carriers could see their international networks contract further. If some countries continue providing those services, however, parts of Iran’s international air network may remain operational.

The outcome will depend on the decisions of individual governments, airports, airlines and aviation-service companies as the U.S. measures take effect.