US further widens aviation sanctions to include 27 Iranian airlines
The measures target alleged weapons and personnel transport, aircraft procurement networks and selected flight authorisations involving Iran.
- The US Treasury Department has sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines, accusing Iran of using its aviation sector to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit goods.
- The sanctions also target nine foreign companies in countries like the UAE, Türkiye, and Malaysia for aiding Iran's aviation sector, including the unlawful procurement of US-origin aircraft for the previously sanctioned Mahan Air.
- US officials issued a warning that any entity doing business with Iran's airlines risks being cut off from the global financial system.
- The measures also include suspending three authorizations that allowed foreign airlines to use US-origin aircraft for flights involving Iranian airspace.
The US Treasury Department has announced a new round of sanctions against 27 Iranian airlines and nine foreign companies, targeting Iran’s aviation sector over allegations that Tehran uses it to transport weapons, personnel and illicit goods.
The 27 Iranian airlines sanctioned by the United States are:
- Air Shiraz
- Asa Jet Airline
- Ata Airlines Company
- Atlas Aviation Group
- Ava Airlines
- Chabahar Airlines Company
- Erwan Airline Company
- Fly Kish Airlines
- Fly Persia Airlines
- Iran Air Tour
- Iran Aseman Airlines
- Jsky Airlines
- Kish Airlines
- Karun Airlines Company
- Lad Airways
- Mehr Airways
- Nasim Air
- Pars Oghyanous Kish Company
- Qeshm Air
- Raimon Airways
- Saha Airlines
- Sepehran Airlines
- Soroush Air
- Taban Airlines
- Toos Airlines
- Varesh Airlines
- Zagros Airlines
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated during the announcement that, under Operation Economic Outcast, the United States had pledged severe penalties for those providing financial support to the Iranian regime.
He also warned: “Anyone doing business with Iran’s remaining airlines risks being cut off from the global financial system.”
Beyond the Iranian carriers, the Treasury stated that the latest measures also covered firms in third countries that it accused of facilitating weapons proliferation, terrorism-linked flight operations and the unlawful procurement of US-origin aircraft for previously sanctioned Mahan Air.
The sanctions also targeted cargo service providers and general sales agents that had serviced Mahan Air’s international flights.
Mahan Air is an Iranian carrier accused of facilitating activities by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The sanctions also extend to an aircraft procurement network that the United States alleges was used to deliver three Boeing 777 aircraft to Mahan Air.
The United States also suspended three authorisations concerning flights through Iranian airspace, including authorisations allowing foreign airlines to use US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft on flights to Iran.
According to the Treasury, this process involved aircraft no longer in service and was carried out through the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
The aircraft were reported to have received temporary registrations through ECT Aviation Support in Sharjah, while Sky Phoenix, a company registered in Türkiye, was also involved in transferring the aircraft.
ECT Aviation Support and Sky Phoenix were added to the latest US sanctions list, together with several other companies based in Türkiye, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.
US Treasury officials did not specify whether companies in countries such as China could face secondary sanctions for supporting Iran’s aviation sector.
They noted, however, that the United States had several measures it could take against service providers.
Iran’s aviation industry has long faced difficulties under US sanctions, which have hampered access to aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.
