Washington has strategically aimed its efforts at disrupting Tehran’s shipping, banking, and financial systems, significantly impacting Iran’s transportation logistics. However, one crucial avenue remains accessible: air travel. With Turkey playing a pivotal role in maintaining this link, it becomes imperative for Washington to take decisive action.
The Impact of Iranian Air Travel
In April, Iran reopened its airspace, allowing commercial flights to resume. Despite U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s commitment in May to restrict Iranian carriers’ landing rights, flights continue unabated. By September, President Donald Trump escalated the response, imposing sanctions on all active Iranian airlines, thereby intensifying the economic pressure on Iran’s aviation sector.
These Iranian airlines not only facilitate access to foreign markets but also play a vital role in transporting personnel and weapons, particularly for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Diminishing Iran’s aviation routes, therefore, is critical in limiting its operational capabilities. Many Middle Eastern countries have complied with U.S. pressure to suspend flights from Iran, effectively closing off essential transportation routes.
Turkey’s Mixed Signals
Turkey’s response has been less decisive. Although it has taken some steps—suspending Mahan Air flights and revoking the operating license of the Iranian Bank Mellat in Istanbul—the measures appear largely symbolic. After September 23, when Bessent announced that international flights operated by Iranian airlines would be curtailed, over 90 landings of Iranian airlines in Turkey were recorded. This indicates that various Turkish entities are still supporting these sanctioned carriers.
Ground support provided by Turkish companies is instrumental in sustaining the flights of Iranian airlines. For instance, FUGO Ground Services has been documented assisting at least eight U.S.-sanctioned Iranian carriers. This company manages services such as passenger handling and ramp operations, enabling Iranian airlines to operate effectively despite stringent sanctions.
Historical Context and Ongoing Violations
Turkey’s history of sanction violations is well-documented. The state-owned Halkbank’s illicit actions from 2012 to 2016—converting $20 billion in restricted oil revenues into gold and cash—were facilitated by high-ranking officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Despite the gravity of these violations, U.S. authorities have frequently overlooked Turkey’s transgressions, leaving them largely unpunished.
Even recent sanctions against Turkish banks and companies have not significantly altered the pattern of behavior that enables Iran’s economic activities. A U.S. federal judge’s dismissal of a case against Halkbank underscored the challenges of holding Turkey accountable. Erdogan’s successful lobbying over the years raises questions about the commitment to enforcement against such violations.
Conclusion: A Call for Stronger Measures
While Turkey may position itself as a strategic ally of the United States, its actions suggest a willingness to aid Iran’s regime. The U.S. must actively push Ankara to halt all Iranian flights into Turkish territory. Mere cosmetic changes will not suffice; comprehensive measures are required to effectively limit Iran’s aviation capabilities.
Additionally, the U.S. Treasury should impose sanctions on entities like FUGO Ground Services that enable sanctioned Iranian airlines. Such actions would send a strong message to ground handling companies that support these carriers: the repercussions of their actions could have far-reaching consequences. By cutting off this essential support, the United States can significantly undermine Iran’s ability to maintain its airline operations in Turkey and beyond.