U.S. Expands Sanctions on Iran’s Aviation Sector
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Tuesday against 36 targets connected to Iran’s aviation sector, saying the network has helped transport weapons, personnel and other restricted cargo. The measures are part of the Trump administration’s Operation Economic Outcast, an initiative intended to increase financial pressure on the Iranian government.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action fulfills an earlier warning that businesses providing financial support to Iran could face significant consequences. He specifically cited continued support for Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest airlines, and warned that companies dealing with sanctioned Iranian carriers could lose access to the global financial system.
According to Treasury, Iran’s commercial airlines have supported activities involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Officials said carriers presented as private businesses have been used to acquire and move weapons, technology and personnel. The department also said the latest sanctions address front companies, foreign intermediaries and transshipment routes allegedly used to obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive equipment.
Twenty-seven Iranian airlines were designated, including Iran Aseman Airlines, Kish Airlines, Qeshm Air, Saha Airlines, Sepehran Airlines and Zagros Airlines. The action also covered ECT Aviation Support LLC in the United Arab Emirates and Sky Phoenix in Turkey. Treasury said those companies acted as intermediaries in efforts to transfer U.S.-origin aircraft to Mahan Air.
Additional targets included cargo service providers and sales agents associated with Mahan Air’s international operations. Treasury identified Turkey-based S Sistem Lojistik Hizmetler as a coordinator of shipments, including drone components and industrial equipment bound for Iran. The sanctions generally freeze assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict transactions involving designated entities. Together, the measures broaden Washington’s campaign to limit Iran’s access to aircraft, technology and international financial services. Treasury presented the package as a warning to aviation businesses considering commercial relationships with Iranian carriers or their overseas partners.