Iran Cancels Flights to Baghdad and Muscat Ahead of US Sanctions

Flights from Iran to Baghdad and Muscat will be cancelled starting at midnight ahead of new United States sanctions taking effect Wednesday, according to Tasnim News Agency. A spokesman for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization stated on Tuesday that the agency is negotiating to redirect flights destined for Baghdad to Najaf Airport in Iraq. Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that negotiations with Oman are also ongoing, while all remaining international flights, including those to Istanbul, will continue as scheduled. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that all Iranian airlines would face shutdown on September 23 due to the threat of secondary sanctions on aviation service providers, which comes seven months into the conflict between the US and Iran. Bessent told CNBC that when Iranian carriers land at an airport, they will be unable to receive fuel, landing services, or ticket sales, which would effectively remove them from the dollar system. This action is part of Washington’s expanding sanctions campaign against Tehran. Aviation analysts indicated to Al Jazeera that while the US cannot close foreign airspace, targeting local refueling and ground-handling providers can achieve a similar effect by cutting off essential operational support. Earlier this month, the US implemented stricter measures through the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), placing restrictions on trade, energy, and financial institutions. The administration of President Donald Trump also expanded secondary sanctions in late August, warning that foreign firms engaging with Iran in shipping, technology, gold, and digital assets could face penalties. Tehran, however, indicated on Saturday that it remains open to talks mediated by Qatar for a long-term resolution, while maintaining a confrontational stance towards Washington. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera last week, "It is in Washington’s interest to accept these conditions. Trump’s threats will not achieve any results. We are prepared for a decisive war."