U.S. Sanctions Chinese Company, Alleges Ties to Iran’s Mahan Air

The U.S. imposed sanctions on a Chinese logistics company that it says acted as a sales representative for blacklisted Iranian airline Mahan Air.

The sanctions on Shanghai Saint Logistics Ltd., which has offices in Shanghai and Beijing, are part of ongoing efforts by Washington to shut down an airline it has accused of ferrying weapons and warriors to Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad and providing support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

The U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday that Shanghai Saint Logistics provided services such as freight booking for Mahan Air flights between China and Iran. The Treasury also alleged Mahan Air has been operating charter flights for Iranian technicians and equipment, with materials sourced from China, to Venezuela to help President Nicolás Maduro’s government revive that country’s energy production.

The U.S. blacklisted Mahan Air in October 2011 and last year imposed an embargo against Mr. Maduro’s government, saying it is illegitimate and corrupt.

Mahan Air and Shanghai Saint Logistics didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Treasury has warned companies against dealing with Iranian airlines, including Mahan Air, saying many of the carriers support regional violence by transporting fighters and weapons to international locations.

The sanctions announced Tuesday block any assets Shanghai Saint Logistics has within U.S. jurisdictions, prohibit U.S.-based companies and individuals from transacting with them, and expose anyone doing business with them to potential penalties.