US sanctions Mahan Air’s China network over alleged support for Iran’s IRGC

The United States sanctioned two China-based companies and a Chinese executive on Thursday over their alleged support for Iran’s Mahan Air, which Washington described as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “airline of choice” for transporting weapons, military personnel and equipment.The action marked the second consecutive day that Washington targeted mainland China- or Hong Kong-linked businesses accused of supporting Tehran, broadening its latest pressure campaign from Iranian oil shipments to aviation, travel and cargo services.The US Treasury Department said Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co served as a general sales agent for Mahan Air and had coordinated the transportation of electronics from China to Iran.It also sanctioned the company’s managing director, Tang Xin, who was accused of coordinating travel for the Iranian carrier.Tang is also the executive director and 50 per cent owner of Shanghai Elite International Travel Co, which represents Mahan Air in China, according to Treasury. The travel company was designated because of its ownership and links to Tang.The sanctions freeze any assets the designated parties hold in the United States or under US control and generally bar Americans from doing business with them. Foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions on their behalf could also face secondary sanctions.