Mahan Air Acquires Airbus A340 Amid Ownership, Sanctions Controversy

Mahan Air, a sanctioned Iranian airline with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has reportedly imported an Airbus A340 to Iran via Indonesia.

The aviation news website ch-aviation, revealed that Mahan Air successfully imported the Airbus A340-200, with the registration EP-MJA (serial number 75), to Iran, raising questions as to its procurement.

The 28-year-old Airbus A340, adorned with Mahan Air's livery, was seen at Tehran Mehrabad Airport in early August, although it has not yet been put into active service.

This latest addition marks the tenth A340 in Mahan Air's fleet. The airline, nominally a privately-owned entity, maintains close affiliations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-Quds Force), which resulted in Western sanctions.

In 2011, the United States imposed sanctions on Mahan Air, accusing the airline of aiding the Quds Force in covertly transferring weapons and personnel to various regions, including Syria.

Mahan Air currently operates six A340-300s and three A340-600s, making it the second-largest operator of the A340 globally, trailing behind Lufthansa (LH) based in Frankfurt International Airport.

Dutch sources reported earlier this year that the aircraft sold to Mahan Air previously belonged to the French Air Force. It was also reported that Mahan Air had not provided details regarding the purchase amount of the aircraft, citing the severe sanctions imposed on Iran's aviation industry as a possible reason for the lack of transparency.