US Imposes Broad Sanctions on Iranian Airlines and Foreign Firms

The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it would impose new sanctions on every airline in Iran and on nearly a dozen foreign companies that have conducted business with Mahan Air, the state‑backed carrier previously targeted for its ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The move expands the U.S. effort to curb Iran’s aviation sector and to cut off financial support to entities linked to the IRGC.

Mahan Air had already faced sanctions for its close relationship with the IRGC, and the latest measures extend the U.S. Treasury’s reach to all of Iran’s airlines, effectively banning them from accessing the U.S. financial system. The sanctions also target foreign firms that facilitate transactions for Mahan Air, aiming to isolate the airline from global commerce and reduce its ability to procure aircraft and related services.

These actions are part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader financial pressure campaign the administration has been pursuing to limit Iran’s economic capabilities and deter foreign companies from engaging with Iranian state‑owned entities. The sanctions underscore the U.S. commitment to tightening restrictions on Iran’s aviation industry and its affiliated businesses.