BASRA– Iraqi authorities refused permission for an aircraft carrying Iran’s national football team to land at Basra International Airport (BSR) on November 10, 2026, citing concerns over potential violations of United States sanctions against Iranian airlines.
The decision forced the aircraft to return to Iran, adding an unexpected road journey to the team’s preparations for an international football tournament. The Iranian delegation subsequently landed at Abadan Airport (ABD) in southwestern Iran and continued its journey to Basra by road, according to an Iranian consulate official.
Iraq Blocks Iranian Aircraft
The aircraft was carrying Iran’s national football team to Basra, where the country is scheduled to compete in a four-nation tournament alongside hosts Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
However, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority denied the aircraft permission to land, according to two officials at Basra airport.
An Iraqi civil aviation official said the authorities could not risk breaching US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. The aircraft consequently returned to Iranian territory and landed at Abadan, from where the delegation continued its journey overland.
The decision created an unusual travel arrangement for the Iranian team, which had initially planned to reach the tournament venue by air. Instead, players and officials had to complete the remaining journey by road before entering Iraq.
According to local reporting, the delegation crossed the border through the Shalamcheh crossing and reached Basra on Tuesday. The tournament is scheduled to begin on November 13, with Iran set to face Palestine the following day.
US Sanctions Affect Flights
The refusal to allow the aircraft to land comes amid increasing pressure from the United States on Iran’s aviation sector. Washington has threatened secondary sanctions against foreign companies and service providers that support Iranian airlines, including organisations providing essential airport services.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously warned that airports handling Iranian carriers could face financial penalties, including exclusion from the US dollar-based financial system. The restrictions are intended to prevent international businesses from supplying services that allow sanctioned Iranian airlines to continue operating.
Such services can include aircraft refuelling, ground handling, landing assistance and ticket sales. The threat of losing access to the US financial system creates significant risks for airports and aviation service providers that maintain commercial relationships with sanctioned carriers.
The latest incident demonstrates how these restrictions can affect operations beyond Iran’s borders, particularly in neighbouring countries with close geographical and transport connections.
Iraq Tightens Aviation Rules
Iraq had already taken steps to limit Iranian aviation operations following Washington’s warnings.
In September 2026, Baghdad ordered the suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad International Airport after the United States threatened secondary sanctions against airports and service providers handling Iranian carriers, Asia One reported.
The move reflected concerns that Iraqi aviation infrastructure could become exposed to American financial restrictions. Although Iraq has important regional connections with Iran, its authorities must also consider the potential economic consequences of violating US sanctions.
The Basra incident extends these concerns to another major Iraqi airport. It also demonstrates that restrictions affecting Iranian airlines can disrupt travel arrangements for passengers and delegations, even when their intended destination is a sporting event.
For Iran’s national football team, the denied landing added an unexpected complication ahead of the four-nation competition.
More broadly, the episode illustrates the growing influence of US sanctions on regional aviation and the challenges neighbouring countries face when balancing international financial restrictions with cross-border travel.
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