US Slaps New Iran Sanctions on Companies in India, China and Russia
Washington expands restrictions on companies in India, China and Russia, alleging they helped Mahan Air and IRGC linked operations.
US, July 31 : US authorities have imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting six entities and individuals across India, China, Russia and Iran over their alleged involvement in supporting Iranian airline Mahan Air, a carrier that Washington accuses of assisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with military and logistical operations.
Announcing the measures on Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury said the action is aimed at disrupting international networks that allegedly provide commercial, financial and logistical support to Mahan Air. The airline has been under US and European Union sanctions for years over accusations that it transports weapons, military equipment and IRGC-Quds Force personnel under the guise of civilian aviation.
Among those named is Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, an India-based company identified by the Treasury as a general sales agent for Mahan Air. Authorities claim the firm helped facilitate the airline’s commercial operations in India.
The sanctions also extend to organisations and individuals in China and Russia. According to the Treasury, Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co. acted as a general sales agent for Mahan Air in China and allegedly coordinated shipments of electronic goods from China to Iran. Its managing director, Tang Xin, has also been sanctioned for allegedly arranging travel and other operational support for the airline.
Additionally, Tang Xin serves as executive director and co-owner of Shanghai Elite International Travel Co., another Chinese company accused of representing Mahan Air in the country.
Russia-based Air Cargo Pro Limited has also been designated for allegedly acting as Mahan Air’s general sales agent in Russia.
Beyond aviation-related entities, the Treasury sanctioned DadeNegar Startup Studio, describing it as an IRGC-affiliated front company. US officials allege the organisation collected information on the locations of American and Israeli military assets in the Middle East, which was later used to support Iranian military targeting efforts.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said businesses and individuals that continue to assist the IRGC or Mahan Air are helping sustain what Washington considers a terrorist network. He added that the United States will continue increasing economic pressure on Iran by targeting organisations that provide operational or financial support.
In its official statement, the Treasury urged companies worldwide to carefully assess the risks of doing business with Mahan Air or any other sanctioned Iranian carrier. It warned that such associations could expose businesses to US sanctions and further enforcement measures.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reiterated that although Mahan Air operates as a civilian airline, it has allegedly played a significant role in supporting the IRGC’s overseas activities, making it a continuing focus of US sanctions policy.
The latest move reflects Washington’s broader strategy of tightening restrictions on networks accused of assisting Iran’s military and regional operations through commercial channels.
