Iraq will suspend flights operated by Iranian airlines from Tuesday morning following a new US sanctions warning targeting Iran’s aviation sector, two Iraqi government sources told AFP.
An Iraqi official said Baghdad would enforce the suspension from dawn on Tuesday, September 22, in line with the US Treasury’s decision. The official also warned that countries and companies that fail to comply with the US measures could face sanctions.
The move follows comments by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Iranian airlines could effectively be shut out of international operations from September 23 because of US sanctions.
Bessent said foreign airports, fuel suppliers, ground service providers and ticketing companies could face consequences if they continue providing services to sanctioned Iranian airlines. He warned that companies involved could risk losing access to the US dollar financial system.
Iran Air Says Najaf Flights Will Continue
- The situation remains unclear because Iran Air, Iran’s national carrier, has said it will continue scheduled flights to Iraq’s Najaf, despite the US sanctions threat.
- Iran Air said flights from Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan to Najaf would continue according to the published schedule. This directly conflicts with the Iraqi government sources’ announcement of a suspension and means the implementation of the measure remains subject to developments.
Major Impact on Travel
- The decision could have a significant impact on travel between Iran and Iraq. Iraq is an important destination for Iranian travelers, particularly those visiting the Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
- Iranian airlines have already faced growing international restrictions as the United States expands sanctions against the country’s aviation sector. Earlier US measures targeted Iranian airlines as well as foreign companies accused of providing services and support to them.
Wider US Pressure on Iran
- The airline measures are part of a broader US campaign to increase economic pressure on Iran amid the ongoing conflict and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
- Washington is seeking to restrict Iranian access to international financial and commercial networks, while warning foreign companies that continuing to support sanctioned Iranian entities could expose them to secondary sanctions.
- For now, the key question is whether Iranian carriers will actually stop operating to Iraq after the Iraqi suspension takes effect on Tuesday, or whether flights such as Iran Air’s Najaf services will continue despite the announcement.
