Sanctions Pressure Index — September 2026: 28.5

The Sanctions Pressure Index averaged 28.5 in September, hitting a peak of 39 on September 2 and a low of 21 on September 21. Early in the month, pressure was pushed up by US aviation sanctions that disrupted Iranian flights, prompted Iran to threaten enforcing countries, and saw Trump sign a sweeping Russia sanctions bill. Tension dropped significantly on September 17 after UK charities and protest groups condemned an Israeli ban threat made following sanctions. Further calming news included Israel revoking Dutch diplomats' status over settlement sanctions. The month ended with the index resting well below its early peak after these mixed developments.

Peak 39 on 2026-09-02 · low 21 on 2026-09-21 · locked record · ← August · Sanctions Pressure Index timeline · October → · World Tension, same month

• Iran threatens countries enforcing US airline sanctions Al Jazeera · 2026-09-24
• US aviation sanctions disrupt Iran flights, push travellers overland Al Jazeera · 2026-09-24
• UK charities, protest groups condemn Israeli ban threat after sanctions Al Jazeera · 2026-09-17
• Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill BBC World · 2026-09-19
• Iran flights to Baghdad, Muscat cancelled ahead of US aviation sanctions Al Jazeera · 2026-09-23
• US sanctions 10 entities for allegedly supporting Iran’s military Al Jazeera · 2026-09-30
• Congress passes sweeping US sanctions bill targeting Russia Al Jazeera · 2026-09-17
• Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list BBC World · 2026-09-23

• Israel revokes Dutch diplomats’ status over sanctions on settlements