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The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated multiple Iranian airlines on its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List on September 8, 2026, targeting passenger air carriers that Washington says are being used to support military logistics for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The action falls under Executive Order 13902.
What the sanctions actually do
The designations hit several well-known Iranian carriers, including Iran Aseman Airlines and Mahan Air. US persons are now prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the listed entities, and foreign companies that provide material assistance to these airlines risk secondary sanctions.
Mahan Air has been under US sanctions since 2011 for allegedly providing logistical support to terrorist activities. Iran Aseman Airlines, which has operated since 1980, is a newer addition to the restricted list.
Alongside the designations, OFAC issued General License 37, which permits certain wind-down activities for parties that had existing business relationships with the sanctioned airlines.
The Treasury also suspended prior authorizations that could have facilitated the re-export of civil aircraft to Iran.
Operation Economic Outcast
The airline designations are part of a broader sanctions campaign dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast,” which launched on August 24, 2026. The operation targets multiple sectors of Iran’s economy, including aviation, digital assets, and shipping.
Some of the designated entities also fall under Executive Order 13224, which specifically targets entities associated with terrorism financing. The dual designation under both executive orders gives US authorities broader enforcement tools.
The digital assets angle
Operation Economic Outcast’s inclusion of digital assets in its scope is notable. For crypto exchanges and compliance teams, the expanded designations mean additional wallet addresses and entity names to screen against. Any platform that facilitates transactions with sanctioned Iranian airlines or their affiliates risks significant penalties under US law, regardless of where the platform is based.
Market reaction
There have been no immediate market reactions or notable trading implications following these developments. Secondary sanctions carry real consequences for companies that do business in jurisdictions where Iranian carriers still operate, including airlines, lessors, maintenance providers, and parts suppliers.
The suspension of civil aircraft re-export authorizations is particularly consequential for the global aviation supply chain. Iran’s aging fleet has long depended on gray-market access to parts and maintenance services.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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