US sanctions warning prompts Iranian airline flight suspensions
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said secondary sanctions would target services for Iranian airlines from September 23. Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus subsequently canceled Iran flights, with some schedules removed through at least March.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Places in the report
- Iran[2]
Countries named in the cited reporting. Highlighting does not show the area affected. Map: Natural Earth.
Event timeline21 Sep → 23 Sep
Dates stated in the reported details, separate from article publication times.
- 21 Sep
Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus canceled flights to and from Iran from September 21, according to a Middle East Eye review.
[2] · Reported detail - 23 Sep
Scott Bessent said foreign operators providing refuelling, landing services or ticket sales to Iranian airlines could risk access to the US banking system from September 23.
[1][3] · Reported detail
How the effects could reach youConditional effects
What happened
Scott Bessent said foreign operators providing refuelling, landing services or ticket sales to Iranian airlines could risk access to the US banking system from September 23. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- All Iranian Airlines to shut down worldwide by wednesday (Sept 23), US treasury chief saysthestar.com.my · Recorded source date: Sep 21, 2026, 2:47 PM UTC
- Bessent Says Iranian Airlines Will Shut Down Amid Sanctionstheepochtimes.com · Recorded source date: Sep 21, 2026, 11:46 PM UTC
Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus canceled flights to and from Iran from September 21, according to a Middle East Eye review. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet cancel Iran flights as US sanctions bitemiddleeasteye.net · Recorded source date: Sep 21, 2026, 11:46 PM UTC
Turkish Airlines and AJet websites showed no Iran flights until March, while Pegasus had removed Iran flights from its booking system for the foreseeable future. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet cancel Iran flights as US sanctions bitemiddleeasteye.net · Recorded source date: Sep 21, 2026, 11:46 PM UTC
A Turkish Airlines representative reportedly said there was no guarantee flights would resume even after March 2027. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet cancel Iran flights as US sanctions bitemiddleeasteye.net · Recorded source date: Sep 21, 2026, 11:46 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The Treasury had imposed sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines not previously sanctioned on September 8, according to the cited reporting. [3]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] All Iranian Airlines to shut down worldwide by wednesday (Sept 23), US treasury chief saysthestar.com.myReferenced for: detail 1
- [3] Bessent Says Iranian Airlines Will Shut Down Amid Sanctionstheepochtimes.comReferenced for: detail 1
- [2] Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet cancel Iran flights as US sanctions bitemiddleeasteye.netReferenced for: detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
What this could mean for you
Fewer direct flights and more difficult route planning for Iran travel
Foreign carriers suspend services and booking channels in response to secondary-sanctions exposure
Reported basis: [2][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The sanctions warning remains in force or more carriers follow the Turkish operators
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Reduced aviation access for Iranian airlines
Fuel, landing and ticketing providers may avoid services that could threaten dollar-system access
Reported basis: [1][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: US authorities enforce the threatened secondary sanctions
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Additional foreign airlines remove Iran routes or providers stop supplying aviation services.
US authorities impose sanctions on companies continuing to support Iranian airlines.
Pressure eases if…
The United States narrows, delays or clarifies the threatened secondary sanctions.
Affected airlines restore bookings or announce permitted arrangements for Iran services.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish whether every Iranian commercial airline actually ceased global operations on September 23.
The sources do not specify how many passengers or routes were affected by the Turkish cancellations.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
ISTANBUL (Bernama-Anadolu): Operations of all Iranian commercial airlines will shut down globally beginning Wednesday (Sept 23), United States (US) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday,…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Turkey's national carrier, Turkish Airlines, and budget airlines AJet and Pegasus have cancelled flights to and from Iran from 21 September as US sanctions take…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sept. 21 that all of Iran’s airlines will be shut down across the globe on Sept. 23 as…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.