Pompeo Calls for Countries to Close Airspace to Mahan Air Flights to Venezuela

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, called on countries worldwide on Wednesday, April 29, to close their airspace to flights by Iran’s Mahan Air airline.

Mike Pompeo stated that Mahan Air has transferred “unidentified” cargo to Venezuela in support of the Venezuelan government.

According to Reuters, the United States has imposed sanctions against Tehran to counter the expansion of Iranian influence in the Middle East, and has simultaneously sanctioned Venezuela in an effort to remove Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s president, from power.

Mike Pompeo, speaking at a press conference at the U.S. State Department, said that Mahan Air has recently transferred unidentified cargo to Venezuela.

The U.S. Secretary of State said: “In recent days, several aircraft belonging to Mahan Air have transferred unidentified cargo in support of the Maduro government. This is the same terrorist airline that Iran uses to transport troops and weapons.”

Mike Pompeo emphasized: “These flights must be stopped and countries should not allow Mahan Air aircraft to pass through their airspace, just as many countries have revoked landing rights for this airline.”

The Donald Trump administration has applied “maximum pressure” on Nicolas Maduro’s government over the past year to force him to step down in favor of Juan Guaidó, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition.

The United States and European countries say that Nicolas Maduro remained in power in 2018 while preventing his opponents from participating in the electoral process. Juan Guaidó has been recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported last week that as the United States increased pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s government, he sought help from Iran to produce gasoline, and Tehran sent refinery materials to the country.

The news agency wrote, citing its sources, that Maduro turned to Iran to prevent a gasoline shortage in this South American country with large oil reserves.

According to this report, on Thursday, April 23, a second Mahan Air aircraft brought chemical materials needed for gasoline production into Venezuela.

This news was released after drivers in Venezuela formed long lines at gas pumps to obtain gasoline.

This comes as Venezuela has also imposed movement restrictions due to the spread of coronavirus.

Mahan Air was founded in 1992 in Kerman and is introduced as Iran’s first private airline. Since 2011, the United States has placed Mahan Air on its sanctions list due to “connections with the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps” and “transporting troops and weapons.”

Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have previously denied accusations of transferring weapons to the Syrian government and Hezbollah of Lebanon using passenger aircraft.

Source: Radio Farda