Iraq suspends flights of Iranian airlines subject to US sanctions

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Baghdad is moving to suspend the operation of Iranian airlines subject to US sanctions in Iraq, in a move that comes as Washington intensifies its economic pressure on Tehran and threatens secondary sanctions on those providing services to the targeted airlines.

On Monday, Agence France-Presse quoted Iraqi sources as saying that Baghdad would suspend the operations of Iranian airlines subject to US sanctions.

In the same context, Iraqi reports stated that the suspension of flights will begin as of Tuesday, September 22, and will include Iraqi airports, provided that movement between the two countries remains available through land ports.

Not all details regarding the scope of the decision or the list of airlines it will include were immediately clear, while the Agence France-Presse report focuses on Iranian companies under US sanctions.

The Iraqi move comes at a time when Washington is escalating its economic pressure on Iran, as US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent confirmed on Monday that the sanctions will affect those that provide services to Iranian airlines.

Besant said that, as of September 23, Iranian airlines will face broad restrictions on their operations around the world due to the threat of imposing secondary sanctions on air service providers.

He explained that any party that provides services to targeted Iranian aircraft, including refueling, landing services, or selling tickets, may face the risk of being excluded from the dollar-based financial system, as he put it.

The US Treasury Secretary also indicated that his country continues to put economic pressure on Tehran, adding that he cannot determine how long the conflict with Iran will continue.

These measures come as part of a broader US campaign to tighten sanctions on the Iranian economy and reduce Tehran's ability to access international markets and services.

The new restrictions coincided with continued tension between Washington and Tehran, despite diplomatic moves led by regional parties in an attempt to reach a peaceful settlement.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he is considering several options in dealing with Iran, ranging from continuing economic pressure and reaching an agreement, all the way to the military option, indicating that he will make a decision regarding Tehran soon.

On the other hand, Iran continued to warn against any new American attack, stressing that it would respond to targeting its lands or interests.