US hits Iran firms for Africa, Syria weapons trade

AFP: The US government on Tuesday announced sanctions against an Iranian cargo airline, a trading company and military officials for allegedly shipping weapons to Syria and Africa.

WASHINGTON (AFP)— The US government on Tuesday announced sanctions against an Iranian cargo airline, a trading company and military officials for allegedly shipping weapons to Syria and Africa.

The Treasury Department laid down sanctions against Yas Air, Behineh Trading and three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Yas Air is accused of transporting a consignment of Kalashnikov AK-47s, machine guns, mortars and ammunition to Syria under cover of humanitarian aid or “auto spare parts”.

Shipping company Behineh Trading was accused of trying to transport weapons grenades, rockets, mortars, and ammunition to Gambia. The shipments were blocked and seized in Nigeria in October 2010.

The officials included the Revolutionary Guards commander responsible for the organization’s Africa Corps.

The move keeps up a steady drumbeat of US sanctions against Iran over a litany of issues ranging from Tehran’s nuclear program to human rights abuses to weapons trading.