US sanctions sales agent for Iran airline

WASHINGTON: The United States Treasury Department has slapped sanctions on a Malaysiabased sales agent for having links with Mahan Air, an Iranian airline blacklisted by Washington.

Announcing this on Monday, the Treasury said Mahan Travel and Tourism was sanctioned as it enabled Mahan Air’s international operations, especially in “conducting financial transactions on behalf of the airline”.

It said Mahan Air was designated in October 2011 to provide support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

According to Xinhua news agency, the latest move by the department would freeze all assets the designated entity might hold in the US, and prohibit US individuals from doing business with it.

Washington has intensified sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals following President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal in May, a move widely criticised by the international community.