US seizes Iranian cargo plane sold to Venezuela

The plane, previously owned by a sanctioned Iranian airline, was sold to a Venezuelan firm in violation of U.S. export control laws, according to the DOJ.

The American-built cargo plane was previously owned by Mahan Air, an Iranian airline designated by the U.S. as a supporter of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a group considered a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.

The plane was sold to a Venezuelan cargo airline in a transaction deemed illegal by the U.S. government, violating export control laws and benefiting the IRGC.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stated the seizure aims to prevent "hostile state actors" from acquiring means to engage in activities threatening U.S. national security.

Assistant Secretary of Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod confirmed that Mahan Air, known for transporting weapons and fighters for the IRGC and Hezbollah, violated export restrictions by selling the plane.

The plane was previously detained in Argentina in 2022 based on a U.S. seizure warrant.

It remains to be seen whether this action will prompt any specific response from Iran or Venezuela. Monitoring the situation for further developments and potential reactions from involved parties is crucial. (ILKHA)