U.S. Treasury warns firms over dealings with Iranian airlines

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said companies doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines could face U.S. sanctions, as Washington seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

“Doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines carries the risk of U.S. sanctions,” Bessent said, according to the Wall Street Journal. He said foreign governments should ensure that companies under their jurisdiction do not provide services to such aircraft, including jet fuel, catering, landing fees and maintenance.

Bessent described the warning as part of a broader U.S. campaign to put economic pressure on Iran. Reuters reported that the warning came as Tehran resumed some commercial flights to regional destinations.

The U.S. Treasury has previously targeted Iranian airlines and companies accused of supporting them under Washington’s sanctions programme against Tehran.