The United States has expanded its Iran-related sanctions by imposing restrictions on five individuals and 10 companies, including one based in Türkiye, as part of Washington's campaign to increase economic pressure on the Iranian regime.

The US Department of the Treasury announced on Wednesday that the new sanctions target individuals and businesses in several countries accused of supporting Iran's petroleum and aviation sectors.

According to the Treasury, Russian citizen Alisher Domullojanov, who is originally from Tajikistan, was among those sanctioned. Four Indian nationals were also added to the sanctions list.

The latest measures also cover 10 companies based in India, Singapore and Türkiye.

Among them is Türkiye-based Fugo Ground Services Inc., which the Treasury alleges continued providing ground handling and related services to several US-sanctioned Iranian airlines operating flights to Türkiye.

US officials also accused an India-based network of facilitating Iran's oil trade by providing fraudulent maritime registrations, flags and certifications for vessels transporting Iranian petroleum, including ships allegedly linked to Iran's military and affiliated groups.

The Treasury said the sanctions were imposed under Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign aimed at disrupting Iran's sources of revenue and targeting networks accused of helping Tehran evade existing US sanctions.

The department also issued a fresh advisory warning shipping companies, financial institutions and other businesses about the risks of dealing with vessels operating under fraudulent registrations or entities supporting Iran's aviation sector.

The latest measures mark another expansion of Washington's sanctions campaign against Iran, with the United States saying it will continue targeting individuals and companies that allegedly provide financial, logistical or commercial support to the Iranian regime.(ILKHA)