The United States on Tuesday issued 36 fresh Iran-related sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector and other companies as part of a broad push to escalate economic pressure on Tehran as the war in the Middle East entered a seventh month.
The US Treasury Department said the action was aimed at grounding Iran's Mahan Air, already sanctioned by the US and the European Union, and all other Iranian airlines.
The sanctions also targeted covert front companies, foreign intermediaries, and deceptive trans-shipment routes that Washington says Iran relies on to obtain US-origin aircraft and sensitive technology.
The Treasury also issued an alert asking financial institutions to report any procurement networks supporting Iran's aviation industry, while designating firms based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates that it said helped Tehran procure US-origin aircraft and sensitive technology.
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control also suspended three Iran-related aviation authorizations that allowed overflights and permitted non-US-airlines to fly US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft into Iran.
Trump administration intensifies pressure on Iran’s economy
Tuesday's actions marked a sharp escalation of the Trump administration's renewed push to squeeze Iran's economy and pressure Tehran to loosen its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. A US naval blockade and tougher sanctions are curbing oil exports, restricting access to foreign currency and exposing growing strains in the economy.
The Treasury said any foreign firm or individual aiding Iranian airlines through aircraft transfers, cargo services or general sales agent support would face serious consequences.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned last week that the Trump administration was eyeing airlines as possible sanctions targets, along with digital assets and the maritime industry.
”Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime,” Bessent said in a statement on Tuesday. "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."
UK publishes legislation to introduce tougher sanctions on Iran
Britain also issued new sanctions, publishing on Tuesday legislation to introduce tougher sanctions on Iran, expanding trade restrictions and powers to target ships as part of what it described as a wider effort to curb Tehran's nuclear program and other hostile activities.
The government said the measures would restrict Iran's access to the British financial system, broaden trade bans to include more goods, technology and services, and prohibit Iranian aircraft from landing in Britain unless exemptions apply.
The measures form part of plans the government announced last year following the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran under a so-called snapback mechanism.
The British legislation, once approved by Parliament, would restore a range of sectoral restrictions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and further limit Iran's ability to raise funds and procure goods and technology linked to its nuclear program.
Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said in a written statement that the legislation "doubles down on our action to constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions" and would help ensure Iran was never able to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Iran's embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
E3 triggers snapback sanctions over Iran's nuclear program
Britain, France and Germany triggered the snapback process in August last year after saying Tehran had failed to address concerns about its nuclear program, leading to the reimposition of UN sanctions and further British measures against individuals and entities linked to the program.
The United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran in February partly due to concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. But Doughty said Iran had accumulated more than 400 kg (882 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity and was the only country without nuclear weapons to have enriched uranium to that level.
Doughty also said the measures would not affect Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field, which helps supply European energy markets. The legislation includes licenses allowing the BP BP.L-operated project to keep running despite an Iranian stake in the consortium. Britain said the carve-out would match similar exemptions used by the US and EU.