Iraq and Turkish Airlines Suspend Flights to Iran Amid US Sanctions
Iraq and international carriers suspend flights to Iran following strict US Treasury directives and warnings of secondary sanctions targeting sanctioned aviation companies worldwide.
Iraq has announced it will freeze flights by Iranian airlines following a directive from the US Treasury Department stating that sanctioned carriers will be grounded worldwide within 48 hours, government sources told AFP on Monday.
Enforcement of Sanctions
"Iraq will enforce the ban on Iranian airlines in accordance with the US decision starting early Tuesday morning," an Iraqi official said, noting that countries failing to implement the directive risk facing secondary US sanctions.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has suspended all its flights to Iran at least until March 2027, according to a company representative.
"If an Iranian plane lands at your airport, you are not allowed to refuel it, you are not allowed to give it landing services, you are not allowed to sell it tickets, otherwise you will be kicked out of the dollar system," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated.
Regional Pressure on Iran
At the same time, regional sources told the Saudi network Al Arabiya that Iran is pressuring Shia militias in Iraq not to surrender their weapons, amid ongoing efforts by Baghdad to consolidate state control over arms.
