US Sanctions Every Remaining Iranian Airline
US Sanctions Every Remaining Iranian Airline
The News
The Trump administration sanctioned Iran's remaining commercial and private airlines on Tuesday, part of a campaign to squeeze Tehran financially as the war in the Middle East enters its seventh month.
Reuters reported the Treasury Department issued 36 fresh Iran-related sanctions targeting the aviation sector, along with front companies, foreign intermediaries and trans-shipment routes Iran uses to obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology.
The centerpiece is Mahan Air, Iran's largest carrier, which Washington accuses of ferrying military personnel, drones and weapons systems for the Iranian military.
The Numbers
Reuters counted 36 fresh designations. USA Today reported the action expanded sanctions on Mahan and penalized 27 additional airliners and companies supporting Iran's aviation industry. The Independent reported more than two dozen commercial and private airlines were hit, along with foreign cargo service providers.
Timeline
Mahan Air is placed under U.S. counterterrorism sanctions over its support for Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which the State Department has designated a foreign terrorist organization, according to The Independent.
The Treasury Department sanctions individuals and entities in China, India, Russia and Iran that it says are affiliated with Mahan Air over the carrier's alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, USA Today reported.
Treasury issues 36 Iran-related sanctions aimed at grounding Mahan Air and Iran's other airlines, and issues an alert asking financial institutions to report procurement networks supporting Iran's aviation industry, per Reuters. USA Today reported the administration announced the package on Sept. 7.
Reactions
"Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Today, we followed through on that promise with sanctions on companies that continue to support Mahan Air."
"Let this be a warning to anyone doing business with Iran's remaining airlines, all of which we sanctioned today: You are at risk of being cut off from the global financial system," Bessent added.
Bloomberg reported the broader sanctions effort has not appeared to have much impact on Tehran's main trading partners.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mahan Air has kept its aging jets flying and has been expanding despite U.S. efforts to ground it.
What's Next
The Treasury Department said it is suspending Iran's ability to use U.S. airspace and halting the ability of non-U.S. airlines to fly U.S.-origin or U.S.-controlled commercial aircraft into Iran, according to USA Today.
Treasury's alert puts banks on notice to flag procurement networks tied to Iranian aviation, which sets up follow-on designations of any intermediaries they surface.
Firms based in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Malaysia that the administration says supplied parts and logistics to Mahan Air are the immediate test of whether the threat to cut violators off from the global financial system sticks.
More
Mahan Air is also under sanction in Europe for transferring drones to Russia that the European Union says have been used to attack Ukraine, USA Today reported.
Iran's aviation sector has been under U.S. sanctions for years, leaving its carriers flying aging fleets that depend on gray-market parts.
Poll
Will sanctioning Iran's airlines help end the war?
Charleston White Arrested Again on Florida Battery Charge
Border Patrol Rescues MS NOW Crew in Desert
Sep 13, 2026
Supreme Court Restores Missouri's Old House Map
Sep 13, 2026
Alaska Drops Felony Voter Charges Against Samoans
Sep 13, 2026
Trespasser Breaches Harris' Malibu Estate; No Arrest
Sep 12, 2026
Hegseth Pressed Downed Airmen Into 60 Minutes
Sep 12, 2026
Houthis Seize Mokha, Choking Saudi Oil Exports
Sep 12, 2026
Altman Rules Out OpenAI IPO This Year
Sep 12, 2026
Jury Acquits Lil Durk in Murder-for-Hire Case
Sep 12, 2026
Judge: Trump Broke Law Halving FEMA Staff
Sep 12, 2026
Maher Calls Democrats' Gaza Genocide Claim a Lie
Sep 12, 2026
Blizzard Revives StarCraft, Sends Diablo to Netflix
Sep 12, 2026
Trump's Queens Childhood Home Sells for $1.93M
Sep 12, 2026
Scientists Find New Virus in Tick Invading US
Sep 12, 2026
Britain Bans Settlement Imports; US States Threaten Payback
Sep 12, 2026
Prison Fire Kills 7 as Kurds Protest Killing
Sep 12, 2026
Kosovo Rallies for Ex-President Before Hague Verdict
Sep 12, 2026
Cruz Booed at GameDay Over College Sports Bill
Sep 12, 2026
Blast Hits Bulgarian Arms Plant Supplying Ukraine
Sep 12, 2026
DOJ Loses Nearly Every Protester Assault Trial
Sep 12, 2026
Sep 13, 2026