The U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday it had imposed sanctions on 36 entities linked to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 airlines, alleging that they helped transport weapons, personnel and prohibited cargo.
The designations, carried out through the Treasury’s “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign, cover Iran’s remaining active airlines, along with companies and intermediaries accused of assisting Tehran in acquiring U.S.-origin aircraft and aviation technology.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were intended to cut off financial support for Iran’s government and warned companies doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines that they could face exclusion from the global financial system.
The Treasury Department said the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also targeted third-country companies involved in activities supporting sanctioned Iranian aviation operations.
Separately, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert urging financial institutions to detect and report suspicious transactions connected to Iran’s procurement of commercial aircraft and aviation parts.
According to the Treasury Department, Iranian aviation networks have relied on front companies, intermediaries and complex transshipment routes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia to conceal the ultimate recipients of aircraft, components and other aviation-related goods.
The department also suspended three aviation-related authorizations involving Iran. These included provisions governing overflights and the operation of certain U.S.-origin or U.S.-controlled commercial aircraft to Iran. Requests related to aviation safety will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The Treasury Department said the designations expand on sanctions imposed earlier this year and form part of a broader campaign announced in August to isolate Iran from the international financial system.
Under the new measures, assets and other property interests of designated individuals and entities within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving them unless specifically authorized by OFAC.