The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on a global network accused of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through the operations of Mahan Air….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States has imposed a fresh round of sanctions on companies and individuals accused of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through the operations of sanctioned airline Mahan Air, targeting entities in Iran, China, Russia and other countries.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated six entities and individuals, including companies serving as general sales agents for Mahan Air, which Washington describes as a key logistical arm of the IRGC.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would continue to pursue those providing support to the IRGC or the airline.
“Those who provide financial services, logistics, or commercial support to the IRGC or Mahan Air are helping sustain a terrorist enterprise,” Bessent said.
“Treasury will continue to identify them, expose them, and cut them off from the US financial system.”
The US State Department said the sanctions target organisations that enable the IRGC, including those supporting Mahan Air, which it described as the organisation’s preferred airline for transporting weapons, military personnel and equipment.
The sanctions also include Iran-based DadeNegar Startup Studio, which Washington described as “an IRGC-affiliated front company supporting Iranian military targeting by soliciting locations of American and Israeli equipment in the Middle East.”
According to the Treasury Department, Mahan Air has played a broader role than that of a civilian airline.
“Although Mahan Air presents itself as a civilian carrier, it has long played a central role in enabling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), providing travel services for IRGC-Qods Force personnel, facilitating military training, and supporting Iran’s procurement and transport of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and weapons,” the department said.
US officials said the latest sanctions are intended to disrupt the commercial and logistical infrastructure that enables Mahan Air to maintain its international operations.
Those designated include China-based Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co, Shanghai Elite International Travel Co and Chinese national Tang Xin, as well as Russia-based Air Cargo Pro Limited and Iran’s DadeNegar Startup Studio, among others.
Treasury identified Tang Xin as the managing director of Shanghai Wings and the owner of Shanghai Elite, another company representing Mahan Air in China.
Separately, Treasury alleged that DadeNegar functioned as an IRGC front company supporting military targeting through an online platform.
“DadeNegar solicited locations of American and Israeli equipment to support Iranian military targeting. In coordination with the IRGC, DadeNegar received strike requests for US targets in the Middle East,” the department said.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott urged businesses and individuals worldwide to reassess their commercial ties with sanctioned Iranian carriers.
“The United States calls on the international community, particularly companies and individuals doing business with Mahan Air or any other sanctioned Iranian carrier, to recognise the serious risks raised by continuing such engagement,” he said.
He added that Washington “will continue to expose and disrupt entities providing the IRGC with the tools and information it uses to threaten American personnel, our partners, and regional stability.”
Under the sanctions, any property or interests belonging to the designated individuals and entities that fall under US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them, while foreign financial institutions facilitating significant dealings with sanctioned persons could also face secondary sanctions.
