The US Department of Treasury added that in late 2023, Iran and Russia signed a contract to supply hundreds of missiles.
It further claimed that in the summer of 2024, theRussian military personnel were trained by Iranian personnel on the use of these Project 360 ballistic missiles, and from early September 2024, Russia received the first shipment of these missiles from Iran.
"Concurrent with the US sanctions, international partners of the US are announcing measures that will not allow Iran Air to operate in their airspace in the future and are pursuing the identification of individuals, entities and ships based in Iran and Russia that are involved in the transfer of Iran's aid," it added.
The US Department of Treasury continued that the US Department of State simultaneously sanctions three entities, including Iran Air, and designates five ships involved in sending Iran's weapons systems to Russia as blocked assets.
In a separate statement on Tuesday local time, US Department of State cited the pretext of allegedly sending Iranian missiles to Russia for imposing sanctions on Iran Air.
"The US State Department sanctions Iran Air for materially participating in the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons or related goods from or to Iran," the statement said, adding that measures are based on previous sanctions, including in February 2024, October 2023, May 2023, and December 2022, against entities and individuals that facilitate cooperation between Iran and Russia.
The department also claimed that "Iranian agents use Iran Air to facilitate the purchase of sensitive goods of Western origin by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and IRGC’s Quds Force through direct routes from Europe to Iran.”
2050*4399