Tehran, Sept. 23 -- Iranian airlines suspended flights to Baghdad, Muscat, Qatar, Georgia and Azerbaijan as new US sanctions targeting the country's aviation sector took effect on Wednesday, September 23.

AFP reported that services to the five destinations were cancelled, while flights to other countries, including China, remained available. Services to Istanbul were also continuing.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was seeking alternative arrangements for the affected routes. Officials were negotiating with Iraq to divert Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf Airport, while talks were also under way with Oman over the Muscat route.

The cancellations followed a warning by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday, September 21, that com...