Iran has cancelled some flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat as new U.S. sanctions targeting support services for Iranian airlines take effect.
Majid Akhavan, a spokesman for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that airports in Baghdad and Muscat would stop accepting Iranian flights from midnight on Wednesday. Iranian authorities said they were working to redirect some Baghdad-bound services to Najaf and were consulting with Oman over alternatives.
The U.S. Treasury has warned that foreign companies providing fuel, ground handling, ticketing or other operational services to targeted Iranian airlines could face secondary sanctions. Washington says the measures are intended to increase pressure on Iran’s aviation sector.
Iraqi civil aviation sources also confirmed the suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad. Some other Iranian international services continue to operate, but further route changes are possible as the new restrictions take effect.