US sanctions Iranian travel and tourism company, Mahan Air
Mahan travel and tourism, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been subjected to secondary sanctions under Iranian financial sanctions, according to US treasury department's office of foreign assets control (OFAC).
This is not the first batch of US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines and companies associated with them, as Washington accuses them of providing services to terrorists and delivering military forces to Syria and Lebanon.
Previously, Washington sanctioned the Iranian airline, Mahan Air, saying the company transported 'operatives' of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, as well as weapons and equipment, to Syria.
Alongside Mahan Air, the treasury department has slapped sanctions on Caspian Air, Meraj Air, Pouya Air and Dena Airways.
In addition, the sanctions were imposed on two Iranian citizens linked to Dena Airways, Turkish businesswoman Gulnihal Yegane and three aviation-related companies allegedly providing assistance to Mahan Air. According to the US Treasury Department, sanctions target the Iranian airlines, which are accused of providing "services to terrorists".
Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin commented in this respect, saying that Mahan Airlines allegedly supports IRGC’s activities in the Middle East.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the meeting of top businessmen of Iran and Austria in Vienna said US sanctions create problems for people’s lives in Iran, and is 'an international crime'.
“Today, we are at a point in time that strong will of the two nations and governments are against powers that are seeking to deprive the human society of their rights,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.
"Some powers are trying to deprive people of their rights and national interests and it is our duty to stand against lawlessness and unilateralism", President Rouhani added.
US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement.
Trump also said he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose “the highest level” of economic bans on the Islamic Republic.
Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
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