US Expands Iran Sanctions Under Economic Outcast
The United States has imposed a sweeping new round of sanctions on nearly 60 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Iran, targeting military procurement, cyber operations and oil revenues under President Donald Trump’s newly launched “Operation Economic Outcast.”
US Expands Sanctions Under Operation Economic Outcast
The US Treasury announced the measures on August 24 as part of a broader campaign aimed at cutting Iran off from international financial and commercial networks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington intends to sever the economic channels used by Tehran to generate revenue, evade existing restrictions and finance military activities.
The administration has also expanded the categories of Iran-related activity potentially exposed to secondary sanctions, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
Iranian Military and Cyber Networks Targeted
Among those sanctioned are several senior Iranian military officials accused by Washington of involvement in ballistic missile, drone and weapons programmes.
The US also targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command and other groups accused of gathering intelligence on American military facilities and conducting cyber operations against US critical infrastructure.
Washington says Iranian-linked hackers have targeted energy companies, defence contractors, hospitals and government institutions. Iran has previously rejected similar US allegations surrounding its cyber activities.
US Targets Iran Oil and Shadow Fleet
The latest sanctions also focus heavily on Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, including companies, brokers and vessels accused of helping Tehran conceal shipments through a so-called shadow fleet.
The US says revenues from these sales support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian state activities.
Washington has warned foreign governments, financial institutions and companies that continued dealings with sanctioned Iranian networks could expose them to US penalties as Operation Economic Outcast expands.
