Iraq suspends Iranian flights to Baghdad after US threatens sanctions on airport service providers

Iraq has ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights to Baghdad airport starting Wednesday, following a US threat to impose secondary sanctions on any airport servicing Iranian carriers. The Iraqi government is also discussing diverting Iranian Airways flights to Najaf airport. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that all Iranian airlines would be shut down by September 23 via secondary sanctions on air services providers. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported cancellations of flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat, while other international flights continue as scheduled.

Iraq has ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights to Baghdad airport, with the suspension taking effect at midnight on Wednesday. The move comes after the United States threatened to impose secondary sanctions on any airport that provides services to Iranian airlines. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Monday that all Iranian airlines would be shut down by September 23, warning that airports providing fuel, landing services, or ticket sales to Iranian carriers would be cut off from the dollar system. The Iraqi government is also considering diverting Iranian Airways flights from Baghdad to Najaf airport, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Separately, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat have been canceled starting Wednesday, while other international flights, including to Istanbul, will continue as scheduled. A spokesperson for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization told ISNA that Iranian travelers are not currently being admitted at Oman airport, and consultations on the matter are ongoing. The report is based on Reuters wire service, with no byline.