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US sanctions India-based sales agent of Iran's Mahan Air
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The United States Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals, including India-based Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, for supporting Iranian airline Mahan Air. The U.S. alleges that Mahan Air, though presenting itself as a civilian carrier, has long supported Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by providing travel for IRGC-Quds Force personnel, facilitating military training, and aiding the movement of weapons and UAV systems. Other sanctioned general sales agents (GSAs) of Mahan Air include China-based Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co, Russia-based Air Cargo Pro Limited, and Shanghai Elite International Travel Co. The Treasury also designated DadeNegar Startup Studio, an IRGC-affiliated front company that solicited locations of American and Israeli equipment to support Iranian military targeting. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that those supporting the IRGC or Mahan Air are helping sustain a terrorist enterprise and will be cut off from the U.S. financial system.
Source report
Updated - August 08, 2026 04:39 pm IST | Washington
PTI
The United States has imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals, including India-based Skiez Travels, for supporting Iranian airline Mahan Air, which the U.S. alleges helps sustain a terrorist enterprise.
The U.S. Department of Treasury announced the sanctions on Thursday (July 30, 2026) targeting companies operating as general sales agents (GSAs) of Mahan Air, an airline accused of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Key Details
- Sanctioned entity: Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited, with offices in Srinagar and Delhi.
- Role: The company began representing Mahan Airways as its GSA in 2020, according to its website.
- U.S. rationale: Mahan Air, while presenting itself as a civilian carrier, has long supported the IRGC by:
- Providing travel for IRGC-Quds Force personnel
- Facilitating military training
- Aiding the movement of unmanned aerial vehicle systems and weapons
Statement from U.S. Treasury Secretary
“Those who provide financial services, logistics, or commercial support to the IRGC or Mahan Air are helping sustain a terrorist enterprise.”
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— Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent
Mr. Bessent added that the Department of Treasury will continue to identify such entities, expose them, and cut them off from the U.S. financial system.
Other Sanctioned Entities
The other GSAs of Mahan Air designated in the sanctions include:
- Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co (China) — coordinated transport of electronics from China to Iran
- Air Cargo Pro Limited (Russia)
- Shanghai Elite International Travel Co (China)
Tang Xin, managing director of Shanghai Wings, was also designated. He has coordinated travel for Mahan Air and serves as executive director and 50% owner of Shanghai Elite, which also represents Mahan Air in China.
Additional Designation: DadeNegar Startup Studio
The Treasury Department also designated DadeNegar Startup Studio, a front company affiliated with Iran’s IRGC. According to the Treasury:
- The company supported military targeting through a website
- It solicited locations of American and Israeli equipment to support Iranian military targeting
- In coordination with the IRGC, the front received strike requests for U.S. targets in West Asia
Published - July 31, 2026 11:32 am IST
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Western
Part of this Story
U.S. Sanctions Entities in China, India, Russia, Iran Over Mahan Air and IRGC Ties