The U.S. announced it is expanding sanctions to cover all Iranian airlines and aviation service providers, aiming to sever the aviation sector to increase pressure on the Tehran government.
On Tuesday, 8 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it will sanction "all remaining Iranian airlines" not previously penalized, as part of the "Operation Economic Outcast" to pressure Iran's economy.
The U.S. Treasury stated this latest action targets "36 entities supporting Iran's aviation sector, which Tehran uses to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit goods."
These targets include 27 Iranian airlines along with companies based in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan.
"Essentially, we are cutting off the entire aviation sector of Iran’s economy from the market," an unnamed U.S. Treasury official told reporters.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during the sanctions announcement on Tuesday, "Under Operation Economic Outcast, we have pledged to severely punish those who financially support the Iranian regime."
He warned that anyone doing business with Iran’s remaining airlines risks being cut off from the global financial system.
Besides Iranian airlines, the Treasury said the latest sanctions also target third-country companies that "facilitate the proliferation of weapons, flights linked to terrorism, and illegal supply of U.S.-origin aircraft to the previously sanctioned Mahan Air."
Sanctions also target "cargo service providers and general sales agents that have serviced Mahan Air’s international flights."
Mahan Air is an Iranian airline accused of facilitating activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. Treasury officials did not specify whether companies in countries like China could face secondary sanctions for supporting Iran’s aviation sector but said multiple measures could be taken against such providers.
In July, the U.S. Treasury also announced sanctions on individuals and companies identified as aiding Mahan Air.
Iran’s aviation sector has long faced difficulties under U.S. sanctions, which have severely restricted its ability to procure aircraft, parts, and maintenance services.
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Source:cna