US targets Iran’s aviation sector with new sanctions

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on 36 entities and individuals linked to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines and several foreign companies.

According to the Treasury, the measures were imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of Operation Economic Outcast and target all remaining active Iranian airlines. The sanctions also cover companies and intermediaries that Washington alleges have assisted Iran in obtaining US-origin aircraft and aviation technology.

The sanctioned entities include Türkiye-based Sky Phoenix, S Sistem and Mes Cargo, along with companies and individuals based in the UAE, UK, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. The Treasury said some of them provided aircraft procurement, cargo or sales services to Mahan Air, an Iranian carrier already under US sanctions.

OFAC has also suspended three Iran-related aviation authorizations. These included provisions that had permitted certain overflights and allowed non-US airlines to operate US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft to Iran. Requests related to aviation safety will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Separately, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an alert urging financial institutions to monitor and report suspicious activity involving networks allegedly used to procure aircraft and aircraft parts for Iran.

Stabil.Az