Key facts
- Turkey will suspend flights by Iranian carrier Mahan Air starting September 21.
- The US Treasury sanctioned three Turkish companies for providing services to Mahan Air.
- Mahan Air operated at least three flights daily between Istanbul and Tehran.
- The suspension is not part of a broader ban on Iranian airlines, but others remain under review.
Turkish officials announced that the country will suspend flights operated by the privately owned Iranian airline Mahan Air, effective September 21. This decision comes after the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned three Turkish companies – S Sistem, Mes Cargo, and Sky Phoenix – earlier in September for their involvement in providing services to Mahan Air, including aircraft components and sales support. Turkish officials indicated that the sanctions demonstrate a direct risk to the airline's service chain within Turkey and could expose other Turkish entities involved in ticketing, banking, and ground handling to further penalties. While the suspension is specific to Mahan Air, Turkish authorities stated they will continue to assess risks associated with other Iranian carriers, considering aviation agreements, flight safety, and potential additional US sanctions. Mahan Air, which operated at least three daily flights between Istanbul and Tehran, confirmed the suspension of its services to Turkey, as well as to Oman and Georgia, starting September 21.