Iran airlines hit by new US sanctions

The United States imposed sanctions Tuesday on 36 targets linked to Iran's aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines, as Washington increased economic pressure on Tehran during the US-Iran war.

The US Treasury Department said the action targeted “all remaining Iranian airlines” that had not yet faced such penalties. It said Iran's aviation sector is used to move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.

The sanctions also cover firms based in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

A US Treasury official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move was effectively taking the entire aviation sector of Iran's economy out of the market.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were part of Operation Economic Outcast. He warned that anyone doing business with Iran's remaining airlines risked being cut off from the global financial system.

The Treasury Department said the action also targeted third-country firms that facilitate activity by Mahan Air, an Iranian airline the United States accuses of supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It also targeted cargo service providers and general sales agents that have serviced Mahan Air's international flights.

The Treasury official did not say whether firms in countries such as China could face secondary sanctions for supporting Iran's aviation sector.

Iran's aviation sector has long struggled under sanctions that have restricted its ability to acquire aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.