Turkish Airlines Suspends All Flights to Iran Until March 2027 Amid US Sanctions

Turkish Airlines has announced the suspension of all flights to its five Iranian destinations, effective immediately and lasting until at least March 28, 2027. This decision marks a significant reduction in Iran's connectivity to global aviation, driven by escalating US sanctions and regional instability.

The affected routes include major cities such as Tehran, Esfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Tabriz. This suspension follows a series of restrictions initiated in February 2026, amid rising tensions in the US-Israel-Iran conflict that disrupted air travel across the region.

In September 2026, the US Treasury launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” imposing sanctions on over 27 Iranian airlines and related entities. This operation aimed to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting Iranian aviation, warning foreign carriers of potential secondary sanctions for continuing operations in Iran.

As a result, Turkish Airlines, along with Pegasus Airlines, ceased flights to Iran, prioritizing compliance with US regulations to avoid jeopardizing their access to the dollar-denominated financial system. The impact of these suspensions is particularly significant given the close trade ties and frequent travel between Turkey and Iran.

While Turkish Airlines has not permanently discontinued its Iranian routes, the March 2027 date appears more as a placeholder, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding future operations in light of ongoing sanctions.