Sept. 9 (UPI) — The United States has sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines and nine people and companies outside Iran as the Trump administration targets Tehran’s aviation sector in an effort to pressure Iran to meet U.S. demands and end the war.
The Trump administration has been plying sanctions against Iran for months as it tries to coerce Tehran back to the negotiating table to secure a new agreement. However, conditions of the war, which began in late February, have changed, and U.S. President Donald Trump has been fighting to secure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran is seeking to maintain its leverage over the vital maritime energy route.
On Aug. 24, the U.S. Treasury announced Operation Economic Outcast to target Iran’s aviation sector, among other sectors, with sanctions.
Along with the more than two dozen airlines blacklisted Tuesday, the Treasury sanctioned front companies and foreign intermediaries the Trump administration accuses of facilitating sanctions evasion in the aviation industry.
“Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime. Today, we followed through on that promise with sanctions on companies that continue to support Mahan Air,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. Mahan Air is a major privately owned Iranian airline.
“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.”
Sanctions generally freeze any assets and block U.S. persons from doing business with designated individuals and entities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi mocked the United States over the sanctions.
“After 47 years of sanctions, the U.S. went to war with Iran on behalf of Israel. The fallout has been disastrous for America, including its standing worldwide. After failing to achieve its aims through sanctions or war, Washington’s ‘novel’ solution is … more sanctions. Seriously?” he said online.
Meanwhile, the National Iranian American Council, a U.S. nonprofit advocating for the rights of Iranian Americans, said it found the sanctions against the civilian aviation industry “deeply concerning,” arguing that they will harm ordinary Iranians — including Iranian Americans — more than the Iranian regime.
“One can no longer speak of ‘smart sanctions,'” it said in a statement.
“These are openly ruthless and punitive sanctions that have no purpose other than to inflict harm and restrict travel for Iranians and anyone else coming and going in this country.”