The United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan have severely restricted Iranian flight operations under new Washington sanctions taking effect September 23. Turkmenistan denied airspace to a Tehran-Dushanbe flight, forcing the aircraft to return to Imam Khomeini International Airport, and the UAE suspended all flights operated by Iranian carriers starting at midnight. Other nations including Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Oman, and Qatar have also banned or limited access for Iranian aircraft to enforce the US Treasury's order for a worldwide grounding of the fleet.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any company or airport providing fuel, landing services, or ticket sales to Iranian airlines would be excluded from the US dollar system. China has rejected the measures as illegal and continues to allow flights from carriers such as Mahan Air to land in Guangzhou. In response, Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei stated that airports in neighboring countries would not be able to operate if they comply with the US aviation blockade.