US Imposes Sweeping Sanctions on Iran in 'Operation Economic Outcast'

The United States has implemented a broad sanctions package against Iranian military activities, cyber threats, and illicit oil trade, according to a statement from US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Monday evening. The measures, dubbed 'Operation Economic Outcast', target nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels, as reported by The Tribune and Jerusalem Post.

"Today, the United States took sweeping action against multiple entities, individuals, and vessels enabling the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities," Pigott said, as quoted by Jerusalem Post. "The measures target Iranian military officials responsible for procuring weapons and directing attacks against US servicemembers and regional partners, Iran-based entities that gathered intelligence for targeting US forces and allies, and a procurement ring supplying Iran’s military and missile programs."

Sanctions Target Iranian Groups and Military Officials

The sanctions named two Iran-based groups: DadeNegar Startup Studio and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC). DadeNegar was sanctioned for supporting the "targeting of US and partner facilities in the Middle East for the Iranian military during Operation Epic Fury," as stated by the State Department. According to multiple reports, DadeNegar used commercial Chinese satellite imagery to support Iran's military targeting and battle damage assessments during the operation, which occurred on February 28.

The IRGC-CEC was sanctioned for obtaining information about US forces and bases that was used to support Iran's targeting of US assets. Both groups were designated for engaging in activities linked to Iran's military procurement.

The sanctions also targeted seven Iranian officials, including Ahmad Vahidi, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Ali Abdollahi, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Vahidi was sanctioned for his central role in Iran's military decision-making during Operation Epic Fury, while Abdollahi was cited for driving Iran's objectives during the operation. Amir Hatami, Commander of Iran's conventional military, was sanctioned under the Justice for Executives Act for responsibility over Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. Also designated were Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, former Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, for advocating Iran's continued support of its so-called Axis of Resistance, as well as IRGC Aerospace force commander Sayyid Hossein Mousavi Eftekhari, Deputy Defence Minister Seyyed Mahdi Farahi, and Defence Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik.

Targeting Oil Trade and 'Dark Fleet'

The sanctions also target companies engaged in the illicit trade of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, which generated millions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian regime. The US State Department said the measures aim to restrict revenue that the Iranian regime uses to attack its neighbors, support terrorism, oppress its people, and hold the global economy hostage. The sanctions were issued under Executive Orders 13846 and 13949, which target Iran's petroleum revenue and alleged conventional arms proliferation.

According to the State Department, the sanctions target Iran's 'dark fleet' of oil tankers and international intermediaries involved in the sale and transportation of Iranian petroleum. The department said the measures follow the Iranian regime's use of shadow fleet operators that engage in dark activity and deceptive shipping practices, endangering other vessels and trade flows. The network includes shippers and brokers moving Iranian oil through the UAE, China, Singapore, and Europe.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the start of Operation Economic Outcast in a press conference on Monday, stating that the goal is to "sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical Iranian regime until Tehran stands alone," as quoted by The Tribune. Bessent also declared what he called an 'economic D-Day' for Iran, according to reports.

Cyber Operations and Rewards

The sanctions also include measures against an Iranian cyber group accused of hacking US critical infrastructure. This action was coordinated with the FBI, which last week charged eight Iranian nationals over cyberattacks on US energy companies, defense firms, hospitals, and government offices, as reported by The Tribune.

The US Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on five people, including Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, according to multiple sources.

Iran's Response

In response to the sanctions, Iran Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghisa stated that the US does not have the economic strength to restrict Iran's relations with other countries, as reported by The Tribune. The sanctions coincide with the United States having announced an 'economic D-Day' against Iran, according to the same report.