Iran suspends Baghdad and Muscat flights as US sanctions tighten their grip
Iran has cancelled flights to Baghdad and Muscat as expanded US sanctions on the country’s aviation sector begin to take effect, adding another layer of difficulty for Iranians trying to travel abroad.
According to Iranian local media, flights from Iran to the capitals of Iraq and Oman were expected to stop from midnight. The announcement came just hours before the new American sanctions were scheduled to come into force, raising fresh concerns about how Iran’s international air connections will be affected.
Iranian civil aviation officials said Baghdad and Muscat airports would no longer receive Iranian flights. However, not all international routes are being affected immediately. Flights to destinations including Istanbul were reported to be continuing as scheduled, with Iranian authorities saying there were currently no problems with those services.
The situation with Iraq may not mean the end of all air links between the two countries. Iranian aviation authorities are reportedly discussing whether flights originally bound for Baghdad could instead be redirected to Najaf, a major Iraqi city and an important destination for Iranian religious pilgrims.
Talks are also reportedly continuing with Oman as authorities work through the impact of the new restrictions. The developments highlight how quickly international sanctions can translate into practical problems for passengers, airlines and people who depend on regional air connections.
Iraq has not publicly announced detailed plans to enforce the restriction, but Iraqi officials, including a senior government source, told AFP that Baghdad would comply with the measures.
The latest restrictions follow an earlier US decision to blacklist Iran’s aviation sector and warn foreign organisations that they could face sanctions for working with Iranian airlines. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would face increasing difficulties operating internationally as the sanctions took effect.
Iran’s aviation industry has already spent years operating under extensive sanctions. The country has 27 airlines, although most primarily serve domestic routes. Iran Air, the national carrier, and Mahan Air are among the main airlines providing international services, connecting Iran with neighbouring countries as well as destinations such as Russia and China.
The pressure on Iranian airlines is also being felt outside Iraq and Oman. Georgia recently barred Iranian carriers, while Mahan Air said it had suspended flights to Turkey following a request from Turkish authorities.
For ordinary passengers, the consequences are much more immediate than the political language surrounding sanctions might suggest. Fewer international routes can mean longer journeys, more expensive alternatives, uncertain schedules and greater difficulty for people trying to leave Iran or return home.
Iran’s aviation network was already under severe strain following the closure of the country’s airspace after Israeli-American strikes at the end of February. Although some air traffic has since resumed, international travel remains heavily restricted, with Iranian carriers currently playing a central role in allowing passengers to leave the country.
The latest cancellations therefore represent more than a change to an airline timetable. They are another sign of how geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions are reaching into everyday travel, affecting passengers who may simply be trying to visit family, work abroad, conduct business or return home.
As Iranian and regional authorities continue discussions over alternative routes, the situation remains fluid. For travellers, airlines and businesses connected to the region, the biggest challenge may now be navigating an international aviation network that is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
Source: AFP