States News Service
March 21, 2008 Friday

TEMPORARY DENIAL ORDER ISSUED FOR EXPORT OF U.S. AIRCRAFT TO IRAN

WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the U.S. Department of
Commerce:

The U.S. Commerce Department’ Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
today issued a Temporary Denial Order (TDO) suspending the export
privileges of Balli Group PLC and related companies and individuals (
Balli Goup ), Blue Airways, and Mahan Airways for 180 days. Evidence
obtained by BIS shows that the respondent parties knowingly
reexported three U.S. origin aircraft to Iran in violation of the
Export Administration Regulations ( EAR ), and are preparing to
reexport three additional U.S. origin aircraft to Iran in further
violation of the EAR.

In addition, false statements were made to BIS regarding the ultimate
destination and end-user of the aircraft. BIS has ordered the
redelivery to the U.S. of the three aircraft about to be reexported
to Iran, but Balli Group PLC has not complied and has indicated that
it will not cooperate. Balli Group PLC and the other named Balli
Group respondents are based in the U.K., Blue Airways is based in
Armenia, and Mahan Airways is based in Iran.