The United States has imposed sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines not previously blacklisted, as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing conflict.
The US Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions against 36 targets for supporting Iran’s aviation sector, which Washington says is used to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
The targets include 27 Iranian airlines and companies based in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.
“Essentially, we’re taking the entire aviation sector of the Iranian economy out of the market,” a US Treasury official said on condition of anonymity.
The latest action comes as Iran and the United States have been in conflict since late February, following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior military officials. Iran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a rise in global oil prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as part of “Operation Economic Outcast” aimed at cutting off Tehran financially.
“Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime,” Bessent said in a statement.
He warned that any individual or company doing business with Iran’s remaining airlines could be cut off from the global financial system.
According to the Treasury, the sanctions also target third-country firms that facilitate the operations of US-sanctioned Mahan Air. Mahan Air has been accused by Washington of supporting activities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The department said it is also sanctioning cargo service providers and general sales agents that have handled Mahan Air’s international flights.
The Treasury did not say whether firms in countries like China could face secondary sanctions, but noted that various actions could be taken against service providers.
In July, the US also sanctioned individuals and companies it accused of aiding Mahan Air.
Iran’s aviation industry has been under sanctions for years, limiting its access to aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.