Temporary Denial Order Issued for Export of U.S. Aircraft to Iran

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s 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.

BACKGROUND
BIS controls exports and re-exports of dual-use commodities, technology and software for reasons of national security, missile technology, nuclear non-proliferation, chemical and biological non-proliferation, crime control and regional stability. Criminal and administrative sanctions can be imposed for violations of the Export Administration Regulations. For more information, please visit www.bis.doc.gov.

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