Story perspectives

U.S. Sanctions 36 Mahan Air-Linked Firms, Freezes Assets

9/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines, freezing their U.S. assets and prohibiting U.S. persons from dealing.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are part of Operation Economic Outcast.
Nine firms in the UAE, Turkey, Malaysia and Kazakhstan linked to Mahan Air were also sanctioned.
Brent crude rose above $99 per barrel as the sanctions coincided with Strait of Hormuz attacks.

History

Historical Context

In 2012, the United States issued Executive Order 13553, freezing $400 million of Iranian assets and blocking over 100 Iranian entities from U.S. banks. The order targeted Iran Air, Mahan Air, and associated logistics firms, slashing roughly 30% of their international flight operational slots. Operation Economic Outcast, unveiled by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, mirrors that crackdown by sanctioning 27 airlines and penalizing firms in UAE, Turkey, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. These coordinated measures pressure Iran’s aviation network, aiming to curb oil-related revenue and influence future negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz.

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Story summary

U.S. sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines, freezing their U.S. assets and prohibiting U.S. persons from dealing.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are part of Operation Economic Outcast.
Nine firms in the UAE, Turkey, Malaysia and Kazakhstan linked to Mahan Air were also sanctioned.
Brent crude rose above $99 per barrel as the sanctions coincided with Strait of Hormuz attacks.

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