Iranian Flights to China Continue Amid US Sanctions
A number of international flights from Iran have remained cancelled as of Wednesday (23/09/2026). However, not all routes are affected, as several flights to certain countries continue to operate.
According to reports, this situation is unfolding amidst steps taken by the United States to tighten pressure on Iran’s aviation sector. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced secondary sanctions against countries that continue to provide services to Iranian flights.
This move is part of Washington’s pressure on Tehran following a conflict that has lasted nearly seven months. In reality, Iran’s aviation sector has been a target of sanctions for years. It remains unclear what the full impact will be or whether other nations will comply with the new measures.
A travel agent in Tehran told AFP that all flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia, and Azerbaijan have been suspended, but routes to other destinations, including China, remain available.
Even after the new sanctions came into effect on Wednesday, a flight from Tehran operated by Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest airlines, landed in Guangzhou, China, according to tracking data from FlightRadar24. China stated on Tuesday that it opposes the US sanctions, labelling them illegal. Flights to Shanghai were also scheduled to depart on Wednesday, according to Tehran International Airport.
Some flights to Istanbul are also scheduled, although others have been cancelled, a travel agent told AFP. “The situation is unstable, and we are temporarily not selling tickets due to the fear of cancellations,” said the agent, who requested anonymity.
A Mahan Air flight from Kabul is also expected to arrive in Tehran around midday. According to the Tehran International Airport website, other connections to Turkey and Armenia are still possible using smaller Iranian airlines, such as Varesh.
Flights to Najaf in Iraq and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are also scheduled. On Monday, Bessent promised to “shut down” Iranian airlines and punish anyone doing business with them.
“If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide landing services, you cannot sell tickets to them, or you will be expelled from the dollar system,” he warned other nations. These restrictions are expected to further complicate the ability of Iranian citizens to travel abroad or return to their country.