Grounded Worldwide? US sanctions threaten to shut Iranian airlines

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that starting Sept. 23, Iranian airlines could be effectively shut out of international operations as Washington expands sanctions to target the aviation supply chain, including fuel, ground services and dollar access for carriers like Mahan Air and Iran Air. The move deepens Tehran’s aviation and economic woes, likely pushing up travel costs as global capacity declines, while some partners such as China and Russia are expected to push back and Tehran could retaliate by closing its airspace, signaling broader regional disruption and economic strain for travelers.