US SANCTIONS BRITISH, ARMENIAN FIRMS FOR IRAN EXPORTS

Agence France Presse
March 21 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States slapped sanctions on British and
Armenian firms Friday for unauthorized re-exports of aircraft to Iran,
officials said.

The US Commerce Department suspended export privileges of British-based
Balli Group PLC and related companies, Armenian-based Blue Airways,
and Iran-based Mahan Airways for 180 days.

A statement said US officials learned that the companies "knowingly
re-exported three US origin aircraft to Iran in violation of the
Export Administration Regulations and are preparing to re-export three
additional US origin aircraft to Iran in further violation of the
(rules)."

In addition, the agency said "false statements were made" to US
authorities on the ultimate destination and user of the aircraft.

The agency said it has ordered the redelivery to the United States
of the three aircraft about to be re-exported to Iran.

But it said Balli Group PLC "has not complied and has indicated that
it will not cooperate."

A US official said the latest moves were part of longstanding sanctions
on the Tehran regime and not linked to the latest push by the United
States and its allies to pressure Iran into freezing its disputed
nuclear energy program.

Officials declined to comment on the type of aircraft that were to
be sold to Iran.