Iran plans Baghdad and Muscat flight cancellations as US sanctions loom
Iran’s aviation authority is discussing rerouting Baghdad flights to Najaf, while talks with Oman continue ahead of US sanctions due to take effect on 23 September.
Iranian flights to Baghdad and Muscat were due to be cancelled from midnight on 23 September, according to Iranian news agencies, ahead of new US aviation sanctions taking effect that day. The reported cancellations had not been independently confirmed as completed.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization was negotiating with Iraq to redirect Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf, Tasnim News Agency reported. ISNA said talks with Oman were also ongoing.
ISNA reported that other international flights, including services to Istanbul, were scheduled to operate as usual. That schedule does not confirm whether those flights would run.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would target providers serving Iranian airlines with secondary sanctions. He said the measures were intended to shut down Iranian carriers by preventing providers from supplying fuel, landing services or ticket sales.
The planned aviation measures form part of a broader US sanctions campaign against Tehran, including restrictions on trade, energy and financial institutions, and expanded secondary sanctions affecting other sectors. The source report gave no outcome for the negotiations with Iraq or Oman.
