U.S. Targets Iran's Aviation Network With 36 New Sanctions Under Operation Economic Outcast

The United States rolled out a fresh wave of sanctions targeting Iran's commercial flight network on Tuesday, blacklisting 36 individuals and entities across multiple countries as part of an initiative dubbed 'Operation Economic Outcast.' The move marks an expansion of U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran from the global financial system, with federal officials pointing to the aviation industry as a key channel used by the Iranian government to facilitate weapons proliferation and fund regional militant groups. The penalties follow an August 24 determination by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that placed Iran's aviation sector under the authority of Executive Order 13902. With that legal framework in place, OFAC officially designated the remainder of Iran's active domestic and international airlines. Alongside the airlines themselves, the sanctions targeted several foreign, third-country companies accused of acting as intermediaries. According to the Treasury, these firms secured aircraft, arranged cargo transport, and handled general sales services for Mahan Air, Iran's largest carrier, which previously faced U.S. sanctions over its role in state-sponsored logistical support. U.S. officials stated that the measures aim to cut off practical operational support for the fleet, signaling that enforcement will continue across international supply chains. 'We will not relent in our campaign to shut down the Iranian regime's financial lifelines, including the aviation sector,' officials said in the release announcing the action. The designations freeze any U.S.-held assets tied to the targeted individuals and companies and largely prohibit American businesses, banks, and foreign entities using the U.S. dollar from conducting business with them. READ: Florida Proposes Bill To Hold Tech Companies Criminally Liable For AI-Assisted Crimes