U.S. Sanctions on Iran’s Aviation Sector Clash with Turkey’s F-35 Ambitions in NATO Tensions

At least 83 flights operated by U.S.-sanctioned Iranian airlines landed in Turkey within five days after a critical American sanctions deadline, according to flight data analyzed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. This development highlights potential challenges in enforcing Washington’s intensified pressure campaign against entities servicing these carriers, particularly within a NATO ally.

The FDD report noted that U.S. pressure has led Iranian airlines to exit several regional markets, including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, but Turkey remains a persistent loophole in the effort to restrict these carriers. The findings follow the Treasury Department’s announcement of sweeping sanctions on Iran’s aviation industry on September 8, designating all 27 remaining active Iranian airlines under Executive Order 13902. Treasury officials warned that Iran’s aviation sector has been used to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo, and cautioned foreign businesses about the risks of continuing operations with sanctioned carriers.

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An Iranian commercial aircraft lands at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran on September 25, 2026. Following U.S. sanctions imposed in early September targeting Iran’s aviation sector, many regional neighbors adopted restrictive measures, forcing Iranian airlines to suspend international flights starting September 23.

The continued Iranian flights occur amid strained U.S.-Turkey relations. As a NATO ally, Turkey has drawn President Donald Trump’s attention, who has expressed willingness to restore Ankara’s access to the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey was previously removed from the program after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air-defense system, triggering U.S. sanctions in 2020. During a July 2026 visit to Turkey, Trump signaled his administration would lift those sanctions and consider allowing Ankara to purchase F-35s, though congressional restrictions tied to Turkey’s possession of the S-400 remain a hurdle. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently stated expectations for “concrete steps” toward Turkey’s reintegration into the F-35 program.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that companies providing sanctioned Iranian airlines with services such as fuel or landing support risked losing access to the U.S. financial system after a September 23 deadline. FDD researchers noted that by that date, Iranian airlines were expected to be “shut down around the world.”

However, FDD researchers Ahmad Sharawi and Sinan Ciddi found that at least 83 flights operated by sanctioned Iranian carriers landed in Turkey between September 23 and September 27. These flights landed in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The researchers identified 12 sanctioned Iranian airlines, with Iran Airtour and Caspian Airlines each accounting for 12 landings, Iran Air for 10, and ATA Airlines and AVA Airlines for nine each. Eight of the 12 carriers were among those newly designated by Treasury on September 8.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters at the White House, Wednesday, in Washington, D.C.

The Treasury Department stated it has continued raising the issue directly with senior Turkish officials and warned Turkish companies and financial institutions about potential sanctions exposure. “Following Treasury’s productive engagements with senior Turkish authorities last month, which quickly translated into tangible results—including the cancellation of Mahan Air flights and the revocation of Bank Mellat’s license—we have continued discussions regarding Türkiye’s aviation links to Iran and the sanctions exposure Turkish financial institutions and businesses face for facilitating these flights,” a Treasury spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We have made those risks clear and continue to address these issues at senior levels with the Turkish government,” the spokesperson said.

The administration emphasized its broader “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign, noting progress in cutting off Iran’s economic lifelines. “Operation Economic Outcast is delivering results as Treasury and our partners continue to sever the Iranian regime’s remaining economic lifelines,” the spokesperson said. “Iran’s rial has fallen to record lows, Iran loaded no crude oil onto tankers in September, and countries across the region are taking concrete steps to restrict Iran’s access to the international financial system and commercial aviation.”

“We will continue applying pressure and holding accountable those who provide the regime with the financial and commercial lifelines it needs to sustain its terrorist activities,” the spokesperson added.

Turkey has taken some steps to limit aviation ties with Iran. Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Pegasus removed flights to Iran from their schedules, while Mahan Air suspended service to Turkey beginning September 21, according to Turkish Minute, citing airline schedules and reporting by the Financial Times and other outlets.

Mahan Air has been under U.S. sanctions since 2011. The Treasury Department stated at the time that the airline provided financial, material, and technological support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force.

Other sanctioned Iranian airlines, however, continue flying into Turkey. Caspian Airlines and Meraj Air were designated by Treasury as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in August 2014. Treasury said Caspian transported IRGC personnel and weapons to Syria, while Meraj ferried illicit cargo, including weapons, to the Syrian government.

Sharawi told Fox News Digital that the continued flights reflect a gap between Ankara’s public steps and its handling of sanctioned Iranian carriers.

“The fact that sanctioned Iranian airlines continue to land in Turkey, despite Washington’s clear effort to restrict their operations, is a testament to Ankara’s willingness to take symbolic measures while turning a blind eye to much of Iran’s broader activity,” Sharawi said.

President Donald Trump greets Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Sharawi argued that Washington could increase pressure by targeting Turkish companies that continue providing services to sanctioned Iranian carriers.

“Ankara may think it can get away with this, but Washington has not hesitated in the past to sanction Turkish entities that support sanctioned Iranian actors,” he told Fox News Digital. “Continuing to target companies that provide that support would send a clear message to Ankara that facilitating Iran’s sanctioned networks will carry consequences.”

He said such measures could have a practical effect on Iran’s ability to maintain the routes.

“If the United States targets the support system that keeps these sanctioned Iranian carriers operating, private Turkish companies will have much less incentive to continue doing business with them,” Sharawi said. “If those companies begin cutting ties, it could significantly restrict Iranian airlines’ ability to operate routes to Turkey.”

The Turkey findings come as another advocacy group raises concerns about a potential weak point in Washington’s campaign to isolate Tehran: Iranian maritime commerce in waters near Malaysia.

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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

United Against Nuclear Iran said on September 25 that its investigators observed Iranian-linked tankers, cargo vessels, and bulk carriers alongside Malaysian bunker vessels in the South China Sea near Malaysia’s Eastern Outer Port Limits, describing the concentration of ships as a “floating city” supporting Iran’s sanctions-evasion network. The findings, produced by UANI, remain unverified.

UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace accused Malaysian entities of facilitating the trade, which allows Tehran to continue generating revenue despite international efforts to isolate it economically. UANI Chairman and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush called for sanctions against entities associated with Malaysia’s Pengerang petroleum complex and certain Malaysian officials or organizations. These calls represent an advocacy position and do not establish that the Malaysian entities have violated U.S. law.

Fox News Digital confirmed that Treasury has mapped Iranian oil-smuggling networks, including facilitators and financial channels, such as deceptive shipping activity off Malaysia’s coast. Senior Treasury officials reportedly continue raising the issue with Malaysian and other foreign government counterparts.

Soldiers take part in the seizure of the container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz, according to footage broadcast on Iranian state TV and released on April 22, 2026.

Taken together, the findings from FDD and UANI highlight ongoing enforcement challenges as Washington seeks to cut Iran off from international aviation, shipping, and financial networks. Treasury has continued expanding its campaign, announcing sanctions on September 29 targeting individuals and companies alleged to have procured weapons and components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.

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