Iran warns neighbouring airports over US pressure on its airlines

Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned neighbouring countries that their airports would be barred from operating if they joined US efforts to stop Iranian flights. The council's secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, said on state television on September 23, 2026 that Iran would act against those airports, according to Reuters.

Several airports had already stopped accepting Iranian aircraft. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said Baghdad and Muscat in Iraq would begin turning away Iranian flights at midnight on September 23, and that services bound for Baghdad were being rerouted to Najaf International Airport. Georgia and Azerbaijan confirmed suspensions. A travel agent in Tehran told AFP flights to Qatar had been stopped.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on September 21 that the prospect of sanctions on aviation service providers would lead Iranian carriers to halt operations from September 23.

Not all flying stopped. According to Flightradar24 data, a Mahan Air service from Tehran reached Guangzhou, China after the deadline, while a flight to Shanghai remained scheduled. Some Istanbul services stayed on the books too, though other Turkish flights were cancelled. Iran's carriers continue to serve destinations including China and Russia.

Washington is pressing foreign companies whose support Iranian airlines rely on to fly abroad. The Treasury has said firms that assist sanctioned carriers, among them cargo handlers and sales agents, could face penalties themselves. On September 8 the department announced sanctions against 36 targets, including 27 Iranian airlines.