US sanctions all Iranian airlines to sever Tehran from global finance

The United States Treasury Department sanctioned all 27 remaining Iranian airlines on Tuesday, 8 September, effectively cutting the country's entire commercial aviation sector off from the global financial system. The move, part of a broader initiative dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," targets 36 entities including airlines, intermediaries, and support companies across several nations. Global aviation networks targeted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the sanctions target networks allegedly used by Tehran to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo. The measures also penalize foreign intermediaries in countries including China, India, and Russia that have assisted Iranian carriers in procuring US-origin aircraft, spare parts, and sensitive aviation technology despite existing embargoes. The Treasury singled out Mahan Air, accusing the carrier of continued support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While Mahan Air has faced previous restrictions, the new measures target foreign companies that provided the airline with maintenance services and parts, warning that any firm doing business with these 27 carriers risks losing access to the US financial system. Economic pressure and Hormuz tensions This escalation occurs as the United States seeks to force Tehran to ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is currently grappling with severe foreign currency shortages and rising inflation, which US officials intend…