What happened
The US has been targeting Iran's shipping, banking, and financial networks, pushing the regime to use costlier land routes. However, some countries, including Turkey, have left Iran's aviation sector relatively open. Despite US sanctions, Iranian airlines have continued to fly internationally, with over 90 landings in Turkey after September 23.
Turkish companies, such as FUGO Ground Services, have provided ground support to sanctioned Iranian carriers, handling passengers and cargo, and providing critical ramp services at Turkish airports. This support has allowed Iranian airlines to operate in Turkey, despite US sanctions.
The US has sanctioned several Turkish-based businesses and financial institutions for helping Tehran move money and maintain access to the international financial system. The Turkish government has also been implicated in breaching US sanctions, including a state-owned lender that carried out a large-scale sanctions violation from 2012 to 2016.
The US needs to take further action to close the loophole that allows Iran to skirt sanctions through Turkey. This includes insisting that Ankara halt all Iranian flights to Turkish territory and imposing sanctions on entities providing material support to sanctioned Iranian airlines.
