Lawmakers urge investigation, possible sanctions of Iran Air for transporting militants to Syria using commercial aircraft

Following the publication of a series of photos that depicted Iranian-backed militants aboard an Iran Air commercial aircraft, a group of U.S. congressmen sent a public letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin requesting his department re-sanction Iran Air if found guilty of transporting military goods or personnel to Syria.

The letter was signed by U.S. Reps. Peter J. Roskam (R-IL), Andy Barr (R-KY), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), and Dave Reichert (R-WA).

According to the representatives, the photos indicate Iran Air has been facilitating the use of commercial aircraft by Iranian militants in support of terrorist activities in Syria. The airline was previously sanctioned in 2011 for assisting in similar activities, and a number of Iranian and Syrian airlines are currently under sanctions for their support of the Bashar Assad regime.

“Iran’s use of commercial aircraft for military purposes violates international agreements as well as Iranian commitments under the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action],” the congressmen wrote. “We believe these photos mandate a thorough investigation of these practices and a comprehensive review of Iran’s illicit use of commercial aircraft.”

The letter follows the previous introduction of a bill, titled the Iran Terror-Free Skies Act, that aims to counter the use of commercial aircraft by Iran in support of international terrorism and state sponsors of terrorism, or for other illicit terror purposes.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Sen.s Marco Rubio (R-FL) and John Cornyn (R-TX), with a companion House bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Roskam, Zeldin, and Brad Sherman (D-CA).

“Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism threatens the safety of our homeland and our friends around the world,” Cornyn said. “The guise of Iran Air – and the supportive role it plays spreading terror – isn’t fooling anyone, and it’s time to act.”

The bill has yet to be voted on by the House.