Iranian airline Mahan Air denies all allegations that it transported people and equipment linked to an alleged plot to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US.

On 12 October, the US imposed sanctions on Mahan Air after accusing it of flying people linked to the Quds Force, a branch of the Revolutionary Guards (MEED 16:10.11). Under the sanctions, Mahan Air’s US assets will be frozen and US firms barred from doing business with the airline.

In response, Mahan Air’s public relations department issued a statement denying the allegations against it.

“The recently imposed US Department of Treasury sanctions on Mahan Air designed to exert additional political pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran will instead have a direct averse effect on the safety and security of the people of Iran,” the statement says.

“Mahan Air will use all its available resources to overcome the obstacles being put before it.”

Mahan Air is privately-owned by the Mol-al-Movaheddin charity institute based in Kerman.