Turkish national among individuals in US-led Iran sanctions – The United States on Friday sanctioned more than 25 businesses, banks and individuals, including a Turkish national and a Turkey-based aviation company, suspected of working to expand Iran’s nuclear program, supporting terrorism and helping Iran evade US and international sanctions.
The action is part of the Obama administration’s effort to show it will enforce existing sanctions even as it works with other world powers to negotiate a deal that will curtail Iran’s nuclear program.
“Treasury’s action against over 25 entities and individuals, who are involved in expanding Iran’s proliferation program, supporting terrorism in the region and helping Iran evade US and international sanctions, reflects our continuing determination to take action against anyone, anywhere, who violates our sanctions,” Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen said in a statement.
The Treasury said Turkey-based Pioneer Logistics is a key Mahan Air front companies that have served as intermediaries for the sanctioned Iranian airline’s acquisition of aircraft material. Mahan Air was designated in Oct. 2011 for providing financial, material and technological support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
Pioneer Logistics, according to the statement, acts for or on behalf of Mahan Air by receiving and purchasing aviation-related material for the designated airline. It added that in an effort to help Mahan Air evade sanctions, Pioneer Logistics has shipped aircraft parts to another US-designated Mahan Air front company, UAE-based Avia Trust, for onward delivery to Mahan Air. Mahan Air has also used Pioneer Logistics as a cutout for the repair and overhaul of aircraft parts and as a cutout to evade sanctions in order to purchase aircraft tires for its aircraft.
Another Turkish national, 39 years old Muzaffer Akbulut from eastern province of Van, was also blacklisted by the Treasury.
Americans are now generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designated parties.