WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the United States would move to completely shut down two Iranian airlines as part of increasing pressure on Tehran.
According to the statement, the US administration plans to prevent the Iranian airlines from operating internationally by blocking their ability to refuel aircraft and sell tickets.
The treasury secretary also announced sanctions against the Persian Gulf Port Authority as part of broader measures targeting Iran.
US officials said the actions are aimed at tightening restrictions on Iranian transport and logistics networks amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Bessent said Washington is continuing its “maximum economic pressure” campaign against Iran, claiming the Iranian economy and currency are in severe decline.
In a statement issued from Washington, Bessent alleged that Iranian soldiers were not receiving salaries and that police personnel were failing to report for duty.
He further claimed that Iran’s economy and national currency were deteriorating rapidly and described Iran’s Gulf maritime authority as “a joke.”
The US treasury secretary announced that Washington had approved sanctions against the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.
Bessent also warned Iran against imposing toll taxes or seeking aid-related payments.
More read, US sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz authority
Earlier, United States has imposed sanctions on the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an Iranian body has set up to manage the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement issued by the US Treasury Department.
According to US officials, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority was established by Iran to oversee and regulate passage through the strait. The Treasury Department warned that individuals, companies or entities cooperating with the authority could face sanctions if they are providing support to or receiving services from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
