Iran warned on September 25, 2026, that neighboring states could face disruption to regional air travel if they barred Iranian airlines from flights and airport services. The warning followed new U.S. sanctions and a series of route suspensions.
Mohammad Mokhber, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, framed the response as an all-or-nothing choice. “Flight in the region is either free for all or for no one.”
He also warned: “If Iran cannot fly and receive airport services, no country in the region will have that possibility either.” The comments came as governments and airport authorities began restricting services for Iranian carriers.
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Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a separate warning on September 23, 2026. He said neighboring countries that helped stop Iranian flights could find their airports unable to operate.
Airport suspensions reached several routes by September 25
The measures varied by airport and destination. Some authorities announced broad suspensions, while other disruptions affected specific services.
| Location or route | Reported action |
|---|---|
| Najaf International Airport, Iraq | Suspended all flights to and from Iran on Friday until further notice, citing directives from authorities. |
| United Arab Emirates | Suspended Iranian airline flights to and from the country on Thursday until further notice; the General Civil Aviation Authority cited U.S. restrictions. |
| Baghdad and Muscat | Flights were canceled from 12 a.m. local time on September 23. |
| Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Qatar | Services were among routes curtailed or suspended. |
The stops did not all carry the same scope or timing. The Najaf suspension covered all flights linking the airport and Iran, while the UAE measure applied to Iranian airlines’ flights in both directions. Other route changes were reported across the region.
Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, said Muscat airport would no longer accept Iranian passengers. Tehran also said flights to Baghdad and Muscat were canceled beginning at 12 a.m. local time on September 23.
Eight carriers named in reports of the restrictions were Iran Air, Mahan Air, Iran Airtour, Qeshm Air, Caspian Airlines, Fly Sepehran, Ata Airlines and Varesh Airlines. The reported route disruptions also touched destinations including the UAE, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Washington threatened penalties for companies serving the airlines
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines on September 8, 2026. It also warned foreign airports, fuel suppliers, ground-handling companies and other service providers that they could face secondary sanctions for supporting the aviation sector.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the intended reach of the campaign on Monday, September 22, 2026. “On September 23, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world,” he said.
Bessent warned that companies could lose access to the dollar system if they continued providing services. He listed fuel, landing services and ticket sales as support that could trigger penalties.
“If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system.”
The sanctions push therefore extended beyond the airlines themselves to companies that might fuel, handle or otherwise support their flights. The warnings named airports and commercial aviation providers as potential targets for secondary measures.
Rezaei’s remarks on September 23 urged nearby governments to stay out of the U.S. campaign. “I urge all our neighbouring countries not to get involved in the United States adventure. This adventure will very soon end in failure.”
