Tehran, IRNA - Head of the Civil Aviation Organization has dismissed reports suggesting that a Venezuelan plane seized by the US earlier this week belonged to Iran's Mahan Air.

Mohammad Mohammadibakhsh said on Tuesday that the plane confiscated by the United States belongs to Venezuela.

Mohammadibakhsh said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has condemned the seizure as it has been condemned by many countries around the world. 

He said that such actions are not approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) because they are unilateral and endanger the security of the civil aviation sector. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani announced the country's strong support for Venezuela’s efforts to restore ownership over assets and properties illegally confiscated by the United States.

Kanaani described the seizure of the Venezuelan plane as illegitimate and a form of hijacking which represents US unilateralism and a violation of the United Nations charter and international law.

Venezuela’s government has condemned the seizure of its plane by the US, calling it illegal and a clear act of theft.

9376**4261