US threatens sanctions on Iranian airlines starting Wednesday

The United States said Wednesday it would impose sweeping sanctions targeting Iranian airlines, threatening to cut off any airports or companies that service the carriers from access to the US dollar system.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the action, warning that financial institutions and aviation service providers worldwide risk severe penalties if they continue to support Iranian air operations. The measure reflects Washington's hardline stance on Tehran and its aviation industry, which has faced mounting international restrictions.

The sanctions target Iran's ability to maintain and expand its commercial airline fleet. By threatening dollar access—critical for international commerce—the US aims to force global compliance with its restrictions on Iranian carriers, potentially grounding planes and isolating the country's aviation sector from international networks.

Iranian airlines have previously faced difficulty acquiring spare parts and servicing due to sanctions. The latest move represents an effort to tighten those restrictions further, limiting Tehran's options for maintaining operations and purchasing new aircraft through international channels.