Türkiye will suspend flights operated by Iranian private carrier Mahan Air starting September 21 over concerns about exposure to US sanctions, according to Turkish officials.

The suspension will cover all Mahan Air flights to and from Iran, officials said, The Caspian Post reports, citing Middle East Eye.

They stressed that the measure does not amount to a broader ban on Iranian airlines, although other carriers remain under review.

Earlier this month, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a wide-ranging sanctions package targeting Iranian civilian airlines, ground-services providers, cargo companies and aircraft-parts suppliers.

The measures provided companies with a limited period to wind down business with the targeted Iranian entities and warned that third-country service providers could also face penalties.

Three Türkiye-based companies - S Sistem, Mes Cargo and Sky Phoenix - were sanctioned for providing services to Mahan Air. Their activities included supplying aircraft components, providing general sales services and purchasing aircraft.

A Turkish official said the sanctions against the three companies demonstrated that the risks were directly affecting Mahan Air’s service network in Türkiye.

“The risk now extends to every Turkish entity providing services to Mahan Air, from airport operations and ground handling to ticketing and banking. This could disrupt services and trigger further investigations,” the official said.

Other Turkish officials reiterated that Ankara’s decision should not be interpreted as a general ban on Iranian carriers.

However, Türkiye will continue assessing the risks associated with other Iranian airlines, taking into account its bilateral aviation agreement with Tehran, flight safety considerations and the possibility of additional US sanctions that could expose Turkish companies to further penalties, they said.

Mahan Air operated regular flights to Türkiye, including at least three daily services between Istanbul and Tehran.

The airline confirmed on Friday that it would suspend all flights to and from Türkiye from September 21. It also announced the suspension of services to Oman and Georgia.