US sanctions 27 Iranian airlines in aviation crackdown

The Treasury sanctioned 36 entities, including 27 Iranian airlines, saying Tehran uses the aviation sector to 'move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned anyone doing business with Iran's remaining airlines, 'all of which we sanctioned today,' risked being cut off from the global financial system.

Why this matters. The designations extend the US economic campaign to Iran's civil air links, raising exposure for foreign airports and service providers that handle Iranian flights.