US sanctions Iranian airlines, service providers
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineThe United States has imposed fresh sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines yet to be hit by its measures, expanding Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing conflict.
The US Treasury Department said on Tuesday that its latest action targeted 36 entities supporting Iran’s aviation sector, which it accused of being used to transport weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.
The measures include 27 Iranian airlines as well as companies and service providers based in countries including 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 told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Treasury Department said the action also targeted foreign intermediaries and companies involved in activities linked to Mahan Air, including firms accused of facilitating the airline’s proliferation activities, terrorist-linked flight operations and illicit procurement of US-origin aircraft.
The department further targeted cargo service providers and general sales agents that have serviced Mahan Air’s international flights.
Mahan Air, which has long faced US sanctions, is accused by Washington of facilitating activities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the latest action was part of the administration’s broader Operation Economic Outcast campaign aimed at cutting the Iranian regime off from financial support.
“Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime,” Bessent said in a statement on Tuesday.
He warned that companies and individuals doing business with Iran’s remaining airlines could risk losing access to the global financial system.
The latest sanctions come as Washington continues to escalate economic pressure on Tehran during the conflict, which began in late February following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior military officials.
Iran subsequently retaliated by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, an action that pushed global oil prices higher as the conflict spread across the Middle East.
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- US sanctions Iranian airlines, service providers
The US Treasury official did not specify whether companies in countries such as China could face secondary sanctions for supporting Iran’s aviation sector but said Washington had various options for taking action against service providers.
The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions in July on individuals and companies it accused of assisting Mahan Air.
Iran’s aviation sector has for years struggled under sanctions, which have restricted the country’s access to aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.
The latest measures represent Washington’s effort to target the remaining parts of Iran’s aviation industry as part of its campaign to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.
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