United States issues new round of Iran-related sanctions targeting aviation sector

The US Treasury Department sanctioned 36 entities and individuals connected to Iran’s aviation sector on September 8, expanding a pressure campaign that has now swept up nearly 100 targets in just over two weeks. The action falls under “Operation Economic Outcast,” an initiative launched on August 24 that represents one of the most aggressive sanctions pushes against Iran in recent memory. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the effort as an attempt to completely sever the economic lifelines sustaining the Iranian regime. What Operation Economic Outcast actually targets The September 8 designations zero in on Iran’s aviation infrastructure, going after all remaining active Iranian airlines. That includes networks supporting Mahan Air, a carrier that has long been a thorn in Washington’s side for its alleged role in ferrying weapons and personnel for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The sanctions don’t just hit Iranian entities directly. They extend to foreign intermediaries and procurement networks that help Iran acquire US-origin aircraft and sensitive technologies. Under the designations, any US-linked assets belonging to the sanctioned parties are frozen. US persons ar...