The United States on Tuesday placed an Egyptian citizen residing in the UAE on its sanctions list due to links the U.S. Treasury Department claims connect him to a company that supported Iran's "Mahan Air." This is part of broader actions aimed at the Iranian aviation sector and its associated networks.
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the designation of Ibrahim Ali Mohamed Mohamed Mehran, an Egyptian born in Minya and residing in the UAE, on its sanctions list under U.S. authorities related to counterterrorism efforts.
According to the U.S. Treasury, Mehran is associated with "ECT Aviation Support LLC," headquartered in Sharjah, which Washington alleges has ties to the sanctioned Iranian "Mahan Air" airline.
The new measures also include placing "ECT Aviation Support" and a UK-based branch on the sanctions list.
Mehran's inclusion comes as part of a wider sanctions package targeting dozens of companies and entities connected to the Iranian aviation sector, along with non-Iranian companies that the U.S. claims are part of networks providing support to "Mahan Air."
The sanctions also affect several Iranian airlines, including "Iran Air Tour," "Iran Aseman," "Kish Air," "Qeshm Air," and "Taban Air," according to U.S. Treasury data.
Additionally, OFAC has suspended a license that allowed the re-export of certain civil aircraft to Iran temporarily, while issuing a general license permitting the wind-down of some transactions related to the newly sanctioned individuals and entities.
The U.S. Treasury stated that sanctions against Mehran are based on Executive Order 13224, as amended, a legal framework used by Washington to impose sanctions on individuals and entities accused of terrorism or related support.
These sanctions result in the freezing of properties and interests within U.S. jurisdiction, and generally prohibit U.S. persons and entities from engaging in transactions with those designated, unless authorized by a license or exception.
This move is part of an increased U.S. effort to pressure the Iranian aviation sector and the networks of companies and individuals the American administration claims aid Tehran in continuing its activities and circumventing imposed restrictions.