Mahan Air
Iranian private airline with documented IRGC links; aircraft EP-MTB sanctioned by OFAC on 24 April 2026 for arms logistics.
Last refreshed: 24 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How does Mahan Air keep flying despite years of US sanctions?
Timeline for Mahan Air
Mentioned in: SNSC restores 'Internet Pro' on Day 60
Iran Conflict 2026Operated first Tehran-Moscow flight after 60-day suspension, resuming three-times-weekly service
Iran Conflict 2026: First Tehran-Moscow flight after 60 daysOFAC cuts fifth round, 14 targets
Iran Conflict 2026Mentioned in: Israel destroys Khamenei jet in Tehran
Iran Conflict 2026- Why is Mahan Air sanctioned by the US?
- Mahan Air has been on OFAC's sanctions list since 2011 for links to the IRGC, providing transportation and logistical support to designated entities. In April 2026 OFAC designated its Boeing 777-200ER EP-MTB in the fifth Iran nonproliferation round.Source: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260424
- Is Mahan Air still flying during the Iran war?
- Mahan Air continues to operate internationally despite sanctions. OFAC's April 2026 designation of its EP-MTB aircraft targets a specific asset used in Iran-Turkey-UAE Ballistic missile and drone procurement routes.Source: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260424
- What links does Mahan Air have to the Iranian military?
- The US Treasury has documented Mahan Air providing transportation, maintenance, and logistical services to IRGC-designated entities. It operates under commercial cover while supporting IRGC supply lines.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahan_Air
Background
Mahan Air is Iran's second-largest airline, founded in 1991 and based in Tehran. Despite its commercial designation, the US has documented links between Mahan Air and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with the airline appearing on OFAC's sanctions list since 2011 for providing transportation services to the IRGC and Hezbollah. US allies including Germany and the UK subsequently banned Mahan Air from their airspace.
On 24 April 2026 OFAC's fifth nonproliferation round (bulletin sb0465) designated the airline's Boeing 777-200ER registered EP-MTB, targeting the specific aircraft as part of Iran-Turkey-UAE missile and drone procurement chains. The aircraft joins a pattern of Mahan Air assets designated for their role in logistics operations that support Iranian weapons programmes.
Mahan Air's continued operation under sanctions reflects Iran's layered sanctions evasion architecture. The airline uses third-country intermediaries and registration transfers to keep aircraft in service. The EP-MTB designation targets the asset directly, aiming to impede transfers and maintenance access rather than ground the airline entirely. OFAC's Iran-Turkey-UAE designation cluster indicates the procurement chain runs through nominally neutral commercial jurisdictions.
