Regional airlines, including Mahan Air, an Iranian carrier, have faced operational restrictions amid mounting geopolitical tensions and U.S. sanctions. Countries such as Turkey, Oman, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly ceased flights operated by Mahan Air, according to statements from US officials. Despite no official public ban, Mahan Air has quietly stopped listing routes to India and Malaysia, raising concerns over airline operations under the current sanctions regime.
The United States had set a deadline of September 23, 2026, for airlines to cease servicing Iranian carriers or face losing access to the dollar banking system. Meanwhile, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains a significant focal point. Iran links the reopening of the waterway to its conditions, while the US rejects these demands. Despite escalating tensions, oil shipments through Hormuz have continued at nearly 13 million barrels per day, with occasional flows exceeding pre-war levels, indicating ongoing maritime activity.
China has actively supported diplomatic solutions, advocating for a return to the June Islamabad agreement designed to end the conflict and reopen Hormuz. The international community continues to watch developments closely, as disruptions in maritime traffic could have substantial consequences for global energy supplies and regional stability.
