Todd Bishop
The US Treasury Department announced on December 11 that it will expand sanctions on Iran, including an Iranian citizen, two ships and five Iranian companies on the sanctions list. These include Mahan Air, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its subsidiary in China, E-Sail Shipping.
It is reported that Mahan Airlines, Iran National Shipping Company and Yihang International Logistics Co., Ltd. are assisting Iran through the Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD). “These plans include drawing money from the oppressed Iranian people and have intensified the Iranian regime’s intimidation and terrorist activities at home and abroad,” said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Pompeo also said that the move was intended to “remind the world that those who engage in illegal transactions with these companies will face the risk of sanctions”, and the United States will continue to exert “maximum pressure” on Iran with sanctions.
The United States has previously imposed other punitive measures on Mahan Airlines, Iran National Shipping Company and Easy Air International Logistics Co., Ltd. The sanctions are being implemented in accordance with an executive order designed to prevent the development and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and hope to pressure other countries to reduce business with Iran.
