Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Faces Test in Turkey

New flight data analyzed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies says at least 83 flights operated by U.S.sanctioned Iranian airlines landed in Turkey in the five days after a key U.S. sanctions deadline. The findings highlight a possible gap in Washington’s pressure campaign, even as U.S. officials say they are warning Turkish companies and financial institutions about sanctions exposure. The report comes amid broader tensions in U.S.Turkey relations. Turkey, a NATO ally, has also been linked to discussions over restoring its access to the F35 fighter jet program, which it lost after buying Russia’s S400 airdefense system. President Donald Trump has signaled openness to revisiting the issue, while Congress remains a hurdle. According to the report, several sanctioned Iranian carriers continued service to cities including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir after the Sept. 23 winddown deadline. Treasury officials said they have raised the matter with Turkish counterparts and pointed to recent steps that curtailed some flights, while noting that Iran’s aviation and shipping networks remain under close scrutiny.