‘If we can’t fly, no one can’: Iran threatens neighbors over US aviation sanctions

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Iran Threatens Neighbors Over New US Aviation Sanctions

   Tehran has issued threats against neighboring countries and regional airports that comply with fresh United States aviation sanctions, declaring that if Iranian carriers cannot fly, no one else will either. The new economic penalties have squeezed Iran's aviation sector, forcing airlines to cancel international routes and prompting nations across the region to restrict Iranian carriers. Washington has warned foreign firms that servicing Iranian jets, handling landings, or selling tickets could cost them access to the dollar system. While some long-haul routes to nations like China and Russia continue, regional hubs are cutting ties.

   Why it matters

   The escalating friction stems from stringent American economic measures that target Iran's aviation industry and threaten third-party compliance. Regional airports and neighboring governments are caught between adhering to Washington financial penalties or facing retaliation from Tehran. Iraq and other nearby transit hubs are actively grappling with the fallout as carriers cancel flights and nations seek exemptions from the US ban.

   What is confirmed

   • Tehran threatened neighboring countries if they choose to enforce new United States aviation sanctions.
   • New United States sanctions shut down Iranian flights and forced airlines to cancel some international routes.
   • Washington warned firms that fueling jets, handling landings, or selling tickets could cost them access to the dollar system.
   • The United Arab Emirates suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to comply with United States sanctions.
   • Three Iraqi airports including Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah joined Baghdad in restricting Iranian carriers.
   • Georgia and Azerbaijan suspended Iranian flights amid mounting United States sanctions on airlines.
   • Iraq is seeking an exemption from the United States ban on Iranian airlines.

   What to watch next

   • Whether additional regional nations will grant exemptions or fully enforce the aviation restrictions
   • Responses from international carriers regarding ongoing routes to countries like China and Russia
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. Reuters — New US sanctions shut down Iranian flights
   2. WSJ — Squeezed at Sea, Iran Faces New Restrictions on Its Flights
   3. The Jerusalem Post — Tehran threatens regional airports complying with US flight ban targeting Iranian airlines
   4. Al Jazeera — Why is Iran threatening regional airports, and what could be the impact?
   5. WSJ — The Morning Risk Report: Squeezed at Sea, Iran Faces New Restrictions on Its Flights
   6. aljazeera.com — UAE bars Iranian airlines as US sanctions squeeze Iran’s aviation sector
   7. Reuters — Three Iraqi airports suspend Iranian flights starting Friday, sources and state media say
   8. Iran International — Iran threatens regional air travel as US sanctions cut its flight links
   9. Ynetnews — ‘If we can’t fly, no one can’: Iran threatens neighbors over US aviation sanctions
   10. Arab News — Iraq seeks exemption from US ban on Iran airlines
   11. Al Jazeera — Iraq seeks US exemption from ban on Iranian flights
   12. The Times of Israel — UAE says suspending all flights operated by Iranian airlines to comply with US sanctions
   confidence 95%