# US expands sanctions on Iran aviation, banking and crypto > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-sanctions-on-golden-global-bank-over-iran-ties > Updated: 2026-09-08T22:13:11.000Z. Sources: 138. Developments: 3. The U.S. Treasury Department has launched ‘Operation Economic Outcast,’ a campaign targeting Iran’s aviation, banking, and cryptocurrency sectors. The sanctions include 36 entities, specifically blacklisting 27 commercial and private airlines, such as Mahan Air, Iran Aseman Airlines, Qeshm Air, and Zagros Airlines. Washington alleges these carriers are utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo. To disrupt procurement networks, the U.S. has sanctioned nine service providers and sales agents in Türkiye, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates. These intermediaries are accused of helping Iran acquire U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology, including the diversion of at least three Boeing 777s via the UAE and Oman. In a significant escalation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has indefinitely suspended three general licenses, revoking previous exceptions that allowed foreign companies to fly American-made aircraft to Iranian destinations. On September 9, the U.S. further expanded sanctions targeting Iran’s military aviation sector, identifying 36 individuals and entities across Turkey, the UAE, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. Among the new targets are three Turkish companies: Istanbul-based S Sistem Lojistik, accused of coordinating shipments of drone components and industrial equipment for Mahan Air; Sky Phoenix, based in Izmir, alleged to have mediated the transfer of U.S.-manufactured aircraft; and Mes Cargo, which reportedly acts as a commercial representative for Mahan Air. Parallel to the aviation crackdown, the U.S. sanctioned the Istanbul-based Golden Global Yatırım Bankası and two subsidiaries for facilitating IRGC-Qods Force transactions and moving oil revenue from China to Turkey. Expanding the scope to digital assets, OFAC has designated the entire Iranian cryptocurrency sector as sanctionable. Iranian officials have warned that continued pressure could lead to the establishment of a maritime exclusion zone in the Persian Gulf. ## Claims - The U.S. sanctioned 36 entities, including 27 Iranian airlines and various foreign intermediaries, for supporting Iran’s aviation sector. (disputed by 11 sources) - The U.S. Treasury Department has blacklisted the entire Iranian aviation sector. (disputed by 10 sources) - The sanctions target 27 Iranian airlines and nine service providers or sales agents. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The US Treasury accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of using private airlines to transport weapons and personnel. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The sanctions program is dubbed ‘Operation Economic Outcast’. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Mahan Air is among the sanctioned entities accused of transporting weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Sanctioned third-country entities include firms from Türkiye, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The US is suspending authorizations that allowed non-US airlines to fly US-origin or US-controlled aircraft into Iran. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: US sanctions Iran's entire aviation sector under Operation Economic Outcast The US has launched ‘Operation Economic Outcast’, sanctioning 27 Iranian airlines and 36 entities to disrupt the aviation sector's role in transporting weapons and personnel for the Iranian regime. 51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-sanctions-27-iranian-airlines-over-weapons-transport ### 2026-09-06: U.S. Treasury sanctions Iranian aviation sector and Turkish bank The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned 36 entities, including 27 Iranian airlines and a Turkish bank, to disrupt IRGC logistics and oil revenue under Operation Economic Outcast. 46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/golden-global-yatrm-bankas-sanctioned-by-us-over-alleged-iran-links ### 2026-09-04: Golden Global Bank sanctioned by US for alleged Iran ties The US Treasury sanctioned Turkey's Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries for allegedly facilitating millions in transactions for Iran's IRGC-Qods Force as part of 'Operation Economic Outcast'. 61 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/golden-global-bank-sanctioned-by-us-for-facilitating-iranian-fund-transfers --- Cite as: US expands sanctions on Iran aviation, banking and crypto. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-sanctions-on-golden-global-bank-over-iran-ties