US sanctions Almaty firm Tour Invest over Mahan Air ties

September 9, 2026 at 10:50 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The US Treasury on September 8 sanctioned Almaty-registered Tour Invest LLC for acting as general sales agent for Iran's Mahan Air. The measures are part of a package targeting 36 entities across Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, the UAE and Malaysia. Washington says the network helped Iranian carriers obtain US-origin aircraft, parts and technology.

Key Facts

The US Treasury on September 8 sanctioned 36 entities linked to Iran's aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines.
Tour Invest LLC, registered at 128 Makataev Street, Almaty, was designated for acting as general sales agent for Mahan Air.
Tour Invest's director is Ziai Babak Ali, who also heads the Iran Business Center in Kazakhstan, according to Ulysmedia.kz.
Mahan Air has been under US sanctions since 2011 for supporting the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Treasury also suspended authorizations that had allowed certain transactions involving US-origin commercial aircraft and Iran-related flights.

Sanctions Package

The US Treasury announced the sanctions on September 8, targeting 36 companies and individuals connected to Iran's aviation industry. The package includes 27 Iranian airlines, as well as foreign intermediaries, cargo operators and other entities in Kazakhstan, Turkey, the UAE and Malaysia. Washington alleges the network helped Iranian carriers obtain US-origin aircraft, parts and technology in violation of existing restrictions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned foreign companies of consequences for doing business with the designated Iranian carriers.

Tour Invest Designation

Tour Invest LLC is registered at 128 Makataev Street, Almaty, with a registration date of March 18, 2014, and its Kazakh BIN appears in the US sanctions registry. The Treasury identified Tour Invest as a general sales agent for Mahan Air, a role that can involve representing the airline abroad, selling its services and dealing with cargo companies. Ulysmedia.kz reports that Tour Invest's director is Ziai Babak Ali, who also leads the Iran Business Center in Kazakhstan. The US sanctions notice does not disclose details of Tour Invest's activities in Kazakhstan.

Mahan Air Context

Mahan Air has been under US sanctions since 2011 for providing support to the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The new designations extend restrictions to foreign companies providing material, financial or technological support to Mahan Air. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control also suspended authorizations that had allowed certain operations with US-origin commercial aircraft and Iran-related flights. Reuters reports the measures are part of Washington's campaign to increase economic isolation of Tehran.