The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s automotive and railway sectors, along with foreign suppliers linked to the industries, as Washington steps up economic pressure on Tehran.
The latest measures were announced by the US Treasury Department on Thursday under Operation Economic Outcast, a programme launched on Aug 24 aimed at cutting off financial channels that Washington says support Iran’s war efforts, missile development, cyber operations and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Treasury said Iran’s reliance on land-based transport has increased following restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Railways and vehicles are increasingly being used to transport petroleum, fertiliser, chemicals and other goods.
Among the companies targeted are Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) and SAIPA Iranian Automobile Manufacturing Company (SAIPA), which the Treasury said together account for more than 90% of Iran’s domestic automotive market.
The sanctions also cover the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Railway Company, which provides passenger and freight services, as well as Raja Passenger Trains Company and Sherkat-E Rah Ahan-E Khamle-O-Naghle, also known as Railway Transportation Company, a major private freight operator.
Several foreign suppliers linked to Iran’s automotive industry were also sanctioned, including companies based in Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Hong Kong.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the latest action directly targeted entities supporting Tehran and would help the US and its partners restrict the Iranian regime’s remaining sources of revenue.
The Treasury said the measures were intended to disrupt what it described as key economic and logistical channels supporting Iran’s industrial base and sanctions-evasion activities.
