U.S. sanctions 27 Iranian airlines in aviation-sector action

Image: An aircraft bearing Iran Air livery. Iran Air is not among the 27 airlines named in the September 8 action.

The United States imposed sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines on September 8, 2026, as part of an action targeting 36 individuals and entities connected to Iran's aviation industry. The measures also cover foreign businesses that Washington accuses of helping the already-sanctioned carrier Mahan Air acquire aircraft or operate international flights.

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which administers U.S. economic sanctions, named carriers including Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Kish Airlines and Qeshm Air. Treasury said these were its first airline designations under an August 24 determination targeting Iran's aviation sector through Executive Order 13902.

Treasury described the action as covering Iran's remaining active airlines. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned businesses dealing with those carriers that they risked losing access to the global financial system. The measures form part of the administration's Operation Economic Outcast campaign.

Aviation permissions suspended

Alongside the designations, OFAC suspended three general licenses covering certain overflight payments, aircraft refueling and emergency repairs, and temporary visits to Iran by eligible aircraft operated by non-U.S. persons. The temporary-visit authorization had covered specified U.S.-origin aircraft and foreign-built aircraft containing U.S.-controlled components, subject to conditions.

A separate wind-down license allows transactions necessary to end previously authorized activity until 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 23, subject to conditions. OFAC also suspended an aircraft-safety licensing policy, while Treasury said safety-related requests would be considered individually.

Foreign companies linked to Mahan Air

The Treasury announcement alleges that Iran's government uses aviation networks to move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo, and relies on intermediaries to obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology. The 27 Iranian airlines were designated for operating in the aviation sector; Treasury used a separate counterterrorism authority, Executive Order 13224, for the foreign network associated with Mahan Air.

Among the companies targeted were UAE-based ECT Aviation Support and Turkey-based Sky Phoenix. Treasury accused them of acting as intermediaries in aircraft transfers to Mahan Air, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2011.

OFAC also designated Turkey's S Sistem and Mes Cargo, Malaysia's Icargo and Kazakhstan's Tour Invest for what it described as support for Mahan Air's international operations. Treasury identified the latter three as general sales agents, which can handle sales, customer support and cargo coordination for airlines.

The sanctions block designated parties' property within U.S. jurisdiction and generally prohibit U.S. persons from dealing in it unless authorized or exempt. Treasury also warned that certain transactions could expose foreign financial institutions to secondary sanctions. The announcements do not establish the measures' effects on flight schedules or passenger fares.