Sanctions – US Expands Measures Against Firms Accused of Supporting Mahan Air
Sanctions – The United States has announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting six entities and individuals, including India-based Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, alleging that they provided commercial support to Iran’s Mahan Air. According to the US government, the airline has maintained long-standing links with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organization designated by Washington under its terrorism-related sanctions framework.
US Targets Firms Linked to Mahan Air
The latest action was announced by the US Department of the Treasury on Thursday. Officials said the sanctioned companies and individuals acted as General Sales Agents (GSAs) for Mahan Air, helping the airline conduct commercial operations in different countries. Washington claims that Mahan Air has played a significant role in assisting the IRGC by transporting personnel, facilitating military-related activities, and supporting the movement of unmanned aerial vehicle systems as well as other military equipment.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said organizations providing financial, logistical, or business support to either the IRGC or Mahan Air contribute to sustaining what the United States considers a terrorist network. He added that the Treasury Department would continue identifying such entities and work to restrict their access to the US financial system.
India-Based Company Included in the Sanctions List
Among the organizations named is Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, which operates offices in Srinagar and New Delhi. The Treasury Department stated that the company has represented Mahan Air as its General Sales Agent since 2020. The US action places financial restrictions on the company under American sanctions regulations.
The announcement does not accuse the company of carrying out military operations directly but alleges that its commercial relationship with Mahan Air supported an airline that Washington believes has been involved in activities benefiting the IRGC.
Companies in China and Russia Also Sanctioned
The sanctions package also includes Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co., Shanghai Elite International Travel Co., Air Cargo Pro Limited based in Russia, and Tang Xin, the managing director of Shanghai Wings.
According to the Treasury Department, Shanghai Wings coordinated shipments of electronic goods from China to Iran. Officials further alleged that Tang Xin serves as both the executive director and a 50 percent owner of Shanghai Elite International Travel Co., another company identified as a General Sales Agent for Mahan Air in China.
The United States said these businesses played roles in supporting the airline’s international commercial network, which it believes has helped maintain operations linked to sanctioned Iranian entities.
Separate Action Against Alleged IRGC-Linked Organization
In a related development, the Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on DadeNegar Startup Studio, describing it as a front company affiliated with the IRGC.
US authorities alleged that the organization operated an online platform used to gather information about the locations of American and Israeli equipment. According to the Treasury, the collected information was intended to support Iranian military targeting efforts. Officials further claimed that, in coordination with the IRGC, the platform received requests related to potential strikes involving US targets in West Asia.
Continued Focus on Iran-Related Sanctions
The latest measures reflect the United States’ ongoing efforts to tighten sanctions against organizations and individuals it believes are connected to Iran’s military and security networks. Washington has repeatedly stated that it will continue pursuing companies and intermediaries that allegedly facilitate business activities for sanctioned Iranian entities.
The Treasury Department said these actions are intended to disrupt financial and commercial networks that, according to US authorities, help sustain organizations linked to the IRGC. The sanctions also reinforce the broader US strategy of limiting access to international financial and logistics systems for those accused of supporting designated Iranian entities.