Sanctioned Iran airlines flew to Turkey after US deadline, FDD finds

Key Points:

• Flight data analyzed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) reveals that at least 83 flights operated by U.S.-sanctioned Iranian airlines landed in Turkey within five days after a key U.S. sanctions deadline, highlighting challenges in enforcing restrictions in a NATO ally.
• Despite U.S. Treasury Department efforts and sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector under Executive Order 13902, Turkey remains a significant gap, with multiple sanctioned Iranian carriers continuing operations to Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
• The U.S. Treasury has engaged directly with Turkish officials, warning about sanctions risks for Turkish companies supporting Iranian airlines, but some Turkish carriers have only taken symbolic steps, while others continue flights to Iran.
• Advocacy groups also point to enforcement challenges in other regions, such as Malaysian waters, where Iranian-linked vessels reportedly receive fuel and logistical support, prompting calls for further U.S. sanctions on Malaysian entities allegedly facilitating Iran’s sanctions evasion.
• The ongoing situation underscores difficulties in fully isolating Iran economically and commercially, as the U.S. Treasury continues its campaign with new sanctions targeting individuals and companies linked to Iran’s military procurement and illicit networks.