US Sanctions Indian Firm Among Six Entities and Individuals in China, India, Russia and Iran Linked to Iran’s IRGC

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday designated six entities and individuals based in China, India, Russia and Iran for their alleged roles in supporting Iran’s sanctioned airline Mahan Air and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The action targets companies that have served as general sales agents for Mahan Air, which Washington describes as a key conduit for the IRGC’s movement of weapons, operatives and military equipment worldwide. Although Mahan Air presents itself as a civilian carrier, US officials say it has long provided travel services for IRGC-Qods Force personnel, facilitated military training, and supported the procurement and transport of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and weapons.

Among those sanctioned are:

– India-based Skiez Travels and Logistics Private Limited (Skiez Travels), a general sales agent for Mahan Air in India.
– China-based Shanghai Wings International Logistics Co (Shanghai Wings), a general sales agent that has coordinated the transport of electronics from China to Iran.
– China-based Tang Xin, managing director of Shanghai Wings, who has coordinated travel for Mahan Air. Tang Xin is also executive director and 50 percent owner of Shanghai Elite International Travel Co (Shanghai Elite), which represents Mahan Air in China and was also designated.
– Russia-based Air Cargo Pro Limited (Air Cargo Pro), a general sales agent for Mahan Air in Russia.
– Iran-based DadeNegar Startup Studio (DadeNegar), described as an IRGC-affiliated front company that supported Iranian military targeting by soliciting locations of American and Israeli equipment via a website and receiving strike requests for US targets in the Middle East in coordination with the IRGC.

Shanghai Wings, Tang Xin, Skiez Travels and Air Cargo Pro were designated for materially assisting or providing support to Mahan Air. Shanghai Elite was designated for being owned, controlled or directed by Tang Xin. DadeNegar was designated for providing support to the IRGC. All actions were taken under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters, and in furtherance of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 aimed at denying the IRGC access to resources.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “Those who provide financial services, logistics, or commercial support to the IRGC or Mahan Air are helping sustain a terrorist enterprise. Treasury will continue to identify them, expose them, and cut them off from the U.S. financial system.”

As a result of the designations, any property or interests in property of the listed persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them, and foreign persons risk secondary sanctions exposure for certain transactions. Mahan Air itself has been under US sanctions since 2011 for its support to the IRGC-Qods Force.

The move forms part of ongoing US efforts to increase economic pressure on Iran and disrupt networks enabling the IRGC’s activities, including amid regional tensions and attacks involving the Strait of Hormuz.