Turkish authorities have seized a Boeing aircraft belonging to Iran's Caspian Airlines at Istanbul Airport after the airline failed to settle outstanding airport service fees.

Separate reports by local Turkish and Iranian media confirmed the seizure on Tuesday, September 29.

According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, the Boeing 737 was boarded by passengers on Monday, September 28, and was making final preparations for a departure to Tehran when it was grounded under a court order. Istanbul Airport officials impounded the aircraft based on legal documentation.

Reports clarified that the grounding is unrelated to the recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran's economy amid ongoing Middle Eastern military conflicts.

In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, Caspian Airlines attributed the temporary operational stagnation of the Tehran-bound flight primarily to administrative complications.

Following the suspension of the flight, passengers were disembarked and taken to a safe location.

Airline authorities stated that necessary legal steps are being taken to resolve the complications and settle the 3 million euros in outstanding airport service fees, assuring that the aircraft will return to Iran soon.

When contacted regarding the incident, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to provide an immediate comment to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Earlier this month, the United States levied strict sanctions against Iranian airlines by leveraging its influence over the international banking system, warning that international institutions transacting with Iranian carriers would lose access to global dollar-based banking facilities.

However, these U.S. sanctions have not yet been fully enforced by the Turkish government.

Currently, Iran Air and several other commercial carriers continue to operate regular passenger flights on routes between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Mahan Air—a key cargo transport provider—announced that it has temporarily suspended all flight operations to Turkey following a special request from Ankara.