US Treasury Says All Iranian Airlines Will Be Shut Out of Global Operations From September 23

According to Al Jazeera, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday, September 21, 2026 (30 Shahrivar 1405), that starting September 23 (1 Mehr), all Iranian airlines will effectively be shut out of operations worldwide. He warned the sanctions extend beyond the carriers themselves, saying any company that fuels Iranian aircraft, provides landing services or sells tickets for them will be cut off from the US dollar system. The move extends the Trump administration's "Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran and follows the September 17 (26 Shahrivar) US sanctioning of all 27 Iranian airlines. Al Jazeera reported that Mahan Air, Iran's largest international carrier, suspended flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Muscat last week, while flag carrier Iran Air now serves only Baghdad, Najaf and Istanbul. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization data for the year to March 2026 showed 46.2 million passengers traveled in and out of Iran, of whom 7.2 million flew on Iranian carriers.