Rubio Blames Iran for Houthi Attacks as US Targets Iranian Airlines With Sanctions

WASHINGTON, Sep 8:  The United States on Tuesday stepped up pressure on Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing Iran of supporting Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned companies against doing business with Iranian airlines targeted by new US sanctions.

Rubio told reporters that the Houthis were in many ways “agents and proxies of the Iranians” and said there was “clearly the Iranian hand” behind some of the attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Separately, Bessent warned companies against conducting business with Iranian airlines after Washington announced sweeping sanctions targeting the country’s aviation sector.

“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,” Bessent said in a post on X.

Bessent said the measures were part of Operation Economic Outcast, a US campaign aimed at cutting what Washington describes as financial lifelines to Iran. He added that the United States had also sanctioned companies that continued to support Mahan Air.

The latest measures reflect Washington’s broader effort to increase economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran while accusing Tehran of supporting armed groups in the region.