US imposes new sanctions on firms and individuals in China, India, Russia, and Iran

The United States has expanded its Iran-related sanctions, adding companies and individuals from four countries to its sanctions list over allegations of providing financial, logistical, and commercial support to Iranian airline Mahan Air and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The US Treasury Department announced in a statement on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals in China, India, Russia, and Iran, stating that the targeted parties acted as general sales agents for Mahan Air, which is already subject to US and European sanctions.

The department said that although Mahan Air presents itself as a civilian airline, it has played a role in supporting the IRGC by transporting Quds Force personnel, facilitating military training programs, and helping to procure and transfer drone systems and weapons.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Biesent stated that entities providing financial, logistical, or commercial support to the IRGC or Mahan Air are, in his words, contributing to "the terrorist project," stressing that Washington will continue to monitor these networks and deny them access to the US financial system.

The department added that the sanctions aim to disrupt the global network supporting Mahan Air's operations and increase economic pressure on Iran and the IRGC, noting that the move follows Iranian attacks against regional countries and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The sanctions target companies and individuals in China, India, Russia, and Iran, including Shanghai Wings International Logistics, Tang Xin, Shanghai Elite International Travel, India's Skizz Travels, and Russia's Air Cargo Pro, accused of providing sales and support services for Mahan Air.

Separately, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Iranian company DadeNegar, describing it as a front company for the IRGC. The company allegedly supported military targeting operations via a website, helped collect information on US and Israeli equipment locations, and, in coordination with the IRGC, received requests to carry out strikes against US targets in the Middle East.

The Treasury Department clarified that the new sanctions were issued under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorism, and in line with the second National Security Presidential Memorandum, aimed at depriving the IRGC of financial and logistical resources supporting its activities.