Washington sanctions Iranian airlines in latest economic squeeze
The US Treasury announced sanctions on 36 Iranian commercial and private airlines as part of 'Operation Economic Outcast'. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that entities supporting these airlines risk being cut off from the global financial system. The measures expand existing penalties on Mahan Air and other Iran-based aviation firms.
The sanctions target 36 carriers, extending penalties first imposed on Mahan Air in 2011 over alleged Revolutionary Guard ties. Washington also accuses firms in Turkiye, the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia of supplying parts and logistics to these airlines.
The action coincides with a US-Israel war that began in February and has now lasted six months. Despite the economic pressure, military exchanges persist, including US strikes on Iranian tankers and Iranian attacks on US forces in Jordan. Tehran's foreign minister mocked the move as a repetitive tactic.
These aviation sanctions could further strain Iran's economy by limiting its ability to import goods and move personnel, potentially worsening shortages for ordinary citizens. Foreign logistics providers in countries like Turkiye and Malaysia may face a stark choice between lucrative contracts and losing access to Western banking systems. The measures could also deepen regional tensions, as the ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global fuel supplies and raise energy costs for consumers worldwide.