US State Dept. sanctions Iranian military activities, fuel export in Operation Economic Outcast

"Today, the United States took sweeping action against multiple entities, individuals, and vessels enabling the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities," Pigott said.

"The measures target Iranian military officials responsible for procuring weapons and directing attacks against US service members 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," he added.

"The US will continue to disrupt, expose, and dismantle Iran’s military and proliferation activities, procurement schemes, malicious cyber operations, and illicit oil trade that sustains the regime’s malign behavior."

The sanctions targeted two Iran-based groups that were involved in procuring images used to attacks US forces and bases located across the Middle East.

DadeNegar Startup Studio and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC) were named in the sanctions package.

The IRGC-CEC was sanctioned due to obtaining information about US forces and bases that was used to support Iran’s targeting of US assets during the conflict.

Both groups were designated "for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in any activity that materially contributes to, or poses a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of arms or related materiel or items intended for military end-uses or military end-users, including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by the Government of Iran."

Monday's announcement also targeted seven individuals responsible for directing the use of conventional weapons against US forces.

Sanctions targeted members of Iran's Supreme National Council, several commanders of various military branches of the IRGC, the country's deputy defense minister, and the spokesperson for Iran's Defense Ministry.

Zolghadr "was designated by the UN Security Council in Annex I of UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1747 (2007), reimposed on September 27, 2025, in response to Iran’s 'significant non-performance' of its nuclear commitments," the statement added.

IRGC head Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, the newly appointed head of Iran's conventional military and previously commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the Iranian government branch responsible for wartime operations, were sanctioned for their roles in driving military decisions Iran made during Operation Epic Fury.

Sanctions also targeted IRGC Aerospace Force Chief Hossein Mousavi Eftekhari, and Artesh [Iranian army] Chief Amir Hatami. Both were sanctioned due to their responsibility for Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs.

Deputy Defense Minister for Industrial and Research Affairs Mahdi Farahi was sanctioned by the US for "directing the procurement of arms and related materiel and has demonstrated in-depth knowledge of various missile systems, including those that Iran has reportedly used against US forces and allies."

Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for Iran's main defense ministry body, was sanctioned for "engaging in activity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer, directly or indirectly, to or from Iran, or for the use in or benefit of Iran, of arms or related materiel, including spare parts."

The State Department also sanctioned companies that "engaged in the illicit trade of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, activities that have generated millions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian regime," the statement said.

"These Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical cargoes," the statement added, "are frequently transported by shadow fleet operators, including vessel management companies that regularly engage in dark activity and other deceptive shipping practices, endangering other vessels and trade flows."

Sanctions targeted both Iranian and international companies that facilitated the trade of petroleum and petrochemical products with Iran.

Monday's sanctions mark the start of US action aimed "to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," said Bessent.

"We are no longer managing the Iranian threat," he emphasized. "We are ending it."

Before the announcement, Iran threatened both a possible military response and further reduction in oil exports from the Gulf in response to any US economic measures. Afterward, Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said, "We are fully prepared for the US sanctions."

"Naturally, the enemies intend to launch an economic terrorist attack on us, but we also have our own tools and know how to play the game. Our defense is no longer so defensive; the enemies should wait for an attack," Madanizadeh told state television.

He also said neither China nor Russia had "accepted" the US measures, and predicted other countries would resist them.

IRGC spokesperson Brigadier-General Hossein Mohebbi vowed heavy blows to US vital interests and energy chokepoints if Iran's infrastructure is threatened, Press TV reported.