U.S. Treasury sanctions 27 Iranian airlines
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 36 entities and individuals linked to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines, accusing them of supporting the movement of weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the measures target Iran’s remaining active airlines as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign aimed at cutting the Iranian government’s financial links to the global financial system.
The sanctioned airlines include Air Shiraz, Asa Jet Airline, Ata Airlines, Atlas Aviation Group, Ava Airlines, Chabahar Airlines, Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Kish Airlines, Qeshm Air, Saha Airlines, Sepehran Airlines, Zagros Airlines and others.
OFAC also targeted companies and intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Malaysia and Kazakhstan that Washington accused of supporting Mahan Air, including aircraft procurement, cargo services and general sales agent activities.
The Treasury said Mahan Air received at least three Boeing 777 aircraft during the summer through routes involving the UAE and Oman. It accused UAE-based ECT Aviation Support and Türkiye-based Sky Phoenix of acting as intermediaries in the transfers.
The U.S. agency also suspended three Iran-related aviation authorizations, including permissions covering certain overflights and allowing non-U.S. airlines to operate U.S.-origin or U.S.-controlled commercial aircraft into Iran. OFAC said it would consider aviation safety-related requests on a case-by-case basis.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned companies dealing with Iran’s remaining airlines that they could face exclusion from the global financial system.
Under the sanctions, property and interests in property of designated entities in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked. Violations can expose U.S. and foreign individuals and entities to civil or criminal penalties.