SRINAGAR: Turkish authorities have seized a Boeing 737 operated by Iran’s Caspian Airlines at Istanbul Airport over an alleged €3 million ($3.4 million) debt, Turkish and Iranian media reported on Tuesday.
The aircraft was detained on Monday after passengers had boarded and it was preparing to depart, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu News Agency reported. The action was taken under a court-issued seizure order, with passengers and cabin crew subsequently removed from the aircraft.
A Turkish government official, responding in writing to AFP, confirmed that enforcement action had been taken against the Caspian Airlines aircraft, but said the matter stemmed from a “commercial dispute”. The official, who asked not to be identified, did not provide further details.
“We can confirm that a Caspian Airlines aircraft at Istanbul Airport was subject to an enforcement measure pursuant to a decision by the competent authorities. The matter arises from a commercial dispute,” the official said.
Caspian Airlines, in a statement quoted by Iranian state television, said one of its Boeing aircraft had faced “temporary operational restrictions” in Turkey because of an administrative issue. The airline said the matter involved a €3 million debt relating to Istanbul Airport services and that the aircraft was expected to return to Iran on Tuesday.
The seizure comes amid increased US sanctions pressure on Iran’s aviation sector. On September 8, the US Treasury Department sanctioned 36 targets linked to Iran’s aviation sector and warned that entities providing financial support to Iranian airlines could face consequences.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent subsequently warned that businesses providing services such as fuel, landing facilities and ticketing to Iranian airlines could risk being cut off from the US dollar-based financial system.
The latest seizure was, however, attributed by the Turkish government official to a commercial dispute.
Several Iranian airlines have faced disruption in international operations following the US measures. Mahan Air, a major Iranian carrier, suspended flights to Turkey from September 21 at the request of Turkish aviation authorities, according to reports.
The seizure occurred amid the continuing US-Iran conflict, which began in February and has entered its seventh month. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the conflict remains ongoing as Washington and Tehran pursue separate diplomatic contacts through mediators.
