The U.S. Treasury Department announced a sweeping sanctions package on Tuesday, targeting 36 entities and individuals linked to Iran’s aviation sector. The action, ordered by President Trump, is part of Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign launched on Aug. 24 to disrupt Iranian oil revenue, shipping, technology procurement, and now, aviation networks that officials say move weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
Scope of the Sanctions
All 27 remaining active Iranian airlines were designated under Executive Order 13902. The list includes Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Qeshm Air, Kish Airlines, Zagros Airlines, Taban Airlines, Saha Airlines, Ata Airlines Company, and Karun Airlines Company. In addition, nine other targets—eight companies and one individual—were sanctioned for operating front companies, foreign intermediaries, cargo services, and transshipment routes used to obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology.
Operation Economic Outcast’s Rationale
“Under Operation Economic Outcast, we promised severe consequences for those providing financial lifelines to the Iranian regime,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. He warned that businesses and individuals dealing with the newly sanctioned airlines risk losing access to the global financial system.
Additional Aviation Measures
Simultaneously, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) suspended three Iran‑related aviation authorizations that had allowed overflights and permitted non‑U.S. airlines to operate U.S.-origin or U.S.-controlled commercial aircraft into Iran. OFAC will review any aviation safety requests on a case‑by‑case basis.
Background on Prior Sanctions
Mahan Air, a major carrier, had already been sanctioned in October 2011 for supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps‑Qods Force, with a separate State Department designation in December 2019 for weapons‑of‑mass‑destruction proliferation. The September 8 action follows July sanctions on six entities and individuals in China, India, Russia, and Iran that aided Mahan Air and the IRGC.
Recent Aircraft Transfers
According to Treasury, Mahan Air received at least three Boeing 777 aircraft in the summer of 2026 after intermediaries diverted them through the United Arab Emirates and Oman. UAE‑based ECT Aviation Support LLC and Turkey‑based Sky Phoenix Hava Yollari Tasimaciligi Ticaret Limited Sirketi served as intermediaries, providing temporary registrations while the aircraft passed through ECT’s UAE entity.
Further Entities Sanctioned
OFAC also designated ECT founder Ibrahim Ali Mohamed Mohamed Mahran, ECT’s U.K. subsidiary, and UAE‑based Aerobravo Airplane Management and Operation LLC, which operated aircraft owned by ECT’s UAE entity. Four additional businesses were sanctioned for servicing Mahan Air’s international flights: Turkey‑based S Sistem Lojistik Hizmetler Anonim Sirketi and Mes Cargo Transportation Tourism and Foreign Trade Limited Company, Malaysia‑based Icargo SDN BHD, and Kazakhstan‑based Tour Invest LLC. Treasury noted that S Sistem coordinated shipments of unmanned aerial vehicle components and industrial equipment to Iran, while Icargo moved U.S.-origin parts on Mahan Air’s behalf.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Alert
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an alert on September 8, urging financial institutions to identify and report suspicious activity tied to procurement networks supporting Iran’s aviation industry. The alert highlighted warning signs involving front companies across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Compliance Requirements
The sanctions block all property and interests in property of the designated targets located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons. U.S. persons must report such assets to OFAC. The measures also block any entity in which a blocked person holds an aggregate ownership stake of at least 50%. Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties.
These actions reflect the Trump administration’s continued commitment to protecting national security by cutting off the Iranian regime’s ability to finance and operate a covert aviation network that threatens American interests and allies.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
