Iranian Airlines plane seized by Turkey over millions in unpaid debts, stranding Iranian passengers

Turkish bailiffs seized a Caspian Airlines Boeing 737 at Istanbul airport on Monday over a €3 million debt, evacuating passengers and crew before departure. The seizure follows US secondary sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, which have caused regional flight cancellations. Iranian carriers face mounting financial pressures from decades of sanctions.

Turkish bailiffs seized a Caspian Airlines Boeing 737 at Istanbul airport on Monday as it was boarding passengers for a flight to Iran, enforcing a court order to collect a €3 million debt owed to the aviation representation company ACM Temsil Gözetim. Passengers and crew were evacuated before the plane could depart. The Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the aircraft was returned on Tuesday, though Turkish officials have not confirmed this. The seizure comes a week after the US imposed secondary sanctions on Iran's aviation sector under Operation Economic Outcast, sanctioning 27 Iranian airlines and nine service providers. The sanctions have prompted Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Pegasus to cancel flights to and from Iran, though Iranian carriers may still operate between the two countries. Iranian airlines have long struggled financially due to decades of sanctions and difficulties obtaining aircraft parts. Earlier this month, Iran Air CEO Taher Abdolahi admitted the airline carries a debt of 430 trillion rials (over $250 million) from unpaid taxes, frozen accounts, and debts to parts suppliers, with around 20 aircraft grounded as a result.