Shibbir Ahmed | Washington, DC: The United States has imposed sweeping new sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector, placing 36 individuals and entities—including 27 Iranian airlines—under sanctions. The US Treasury Department announced the measures on Tuesday, saying the action was taken under “Operation Economic Outcast” to increase pressure on Iran’s aviation industry, aircraft procurement activities and related networks.
US authorities allege that the sanctioned individuals and entities were involved in procuring and transferring aircraft, aviation technology and other sensitive equipment for Iran. They are also accused of supporting Iranian aviation networks used to transport weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.
27 Iranian Airlines Sanctioned
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 27 Iranian airlines for operating in Iran’s aviation sector. The airlines include Air Shiraz, Asa Jet Airline, ATA Airlines, Atlas Aviation Group, Ava Airlines, Chabahar Airlines, Fly Kish Airlines, Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Kish Airlines, Karun Airlines, Qeshm Air, Saha Airlines, Sepehran Airlines, Taban Airlines, Varesh Airlines and Zagros Airlines, among others. According to Washington, the latest measures represent one of the most significant sanctions actions against Iran’s commercial aviation sector in recent years.
Mahan Air Support Network Also Targeted
The United States also imposed sanctions on several companies and individuals in third countries accused of supporting Mahan Air, an Iranian airline that is already under US sanctions. According to the Treasury Department, intermediaries based in the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye played a role in transferring US-made or US-controlled aircraft to Mahan Air.
US authorities said that at least three Boeing 777 aircraft were transferred to Mahan Air through a network during the summer of 2026. The United States alleges that several companies based in the UAE and Oman were involved in the network.
Aviation Authorizations Suspended
Alongside the new sanctions, OFAC suspended three previously issued authorizations related to aviation operations involving Iran. The authorizations had permitted, under certain circumstances, the use of Iranian airspace and the operation of US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft in Iran by non-US airlines. US authorities said aviation safety-related matters would continue to be considered separately on a case-by-case basis.
Warning to Financial Institutions
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) also issued a separate alert to financial institutions. The agency urged banks and other financial institutions to increase scrutiny of suspicious transactions linked to Iran’s efforts to procure commercial aircraft and aircraft parts.
The Treasury Department alleges that Iran has used intermediaries and front companies across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia to obtain aircraft, aviation components and dual-use technologies while concealing their ultimate destination.
Part of ‘Operation Economic Outcast’
The latest sanctions are part of the United States’ “Operation Economic Outcast,” an initiative announced in August aimed at increasing pressure on financial networks and revenue streams linked to the Iranian government.
The Treasury Department said assets and interests belonging to sanctioned individuals and entities that fall under US jurisdiction will be blocked. US citizens and companies are generally prohibited from engaging in financial or commercial transactions with those designated.
Foreign companies and financial institutions could also face the risk of US sanctions for engaging in significant transactions with sanctioned individuals or entities. US authorities said the latest measures are intended to further isolate Iran’s aviation sector from the international financial system.
