This study investigates the current status and identifies the key challenges of air cargo transit in Iran, with a specific focus on Imam Khomeini International Airport. The research further examines strategies for improving and developing this sector under the constraints imposed by international sanctions and within the increasingly competitive global environment. The main objective of the study is to identify and evaluate the critical factors influencing the enhancement of Iran’s air cargo transit performance. Methodologically, the research is applied in nature and employs a combined approach based on both library studies and field data collection. Field data were obtained from two statistical populations, including 150 cargo owners and 15 experts and professionals in the aviation industry. Data analysis was conducted using statistical techniques in SPSS, alongside multi-criteria decision-making methods, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS).The findings indicate that the development of air cargo transit infrastructure (weight = 0.4412), efficient and strategic management (weight = 0.2901), and strengthened international aviation relations (weight = 0.2686) are the most influential factors contributing to the improvement of Iran’s air cargo transit performance. These results highlight the necessity of adopting a systematic and integrated approach to infrastructure development, managerial optimization, and international cooperation in order to enhance the competitiveness and operational effectiveness of the country’s air cargo transit system.