Islamic Republic of Iran used civilian plane to transfer weapon and ammunition to the Middle East, aiming at hiding its support for terrorism, confidential sources in Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told Avatoday on Friday.
The source who spoke to Avatoday on condition of anonymity said that “there is two reasons behind transferring weapon and ammunition with civilian plane, first IRGCs wants to keep its support for terrorist groups throughout the region as a secret, and in case the US identifies these airplanes and shut them down, so Iran would accuse the US and Israel of shutting down civilian airplane.”
According to the source, IRGC mostly uses Mahan air and Pars air to transfer weapon and ammunition to Syria.
The source explained that after the US identified the planes, Pars Air changed its name to Pouya and Yas to avoid US sanctions while continue sending weapons to Syria.
“The IRGC also change its airway from Turkish air space to Iraqi air space,” he said.
According to the Information obtained by Avatoday, IRGC mostly uses three Ilyushin airplanes with the registration numbers YK-ATB, YK-ATA and YK-ATD.
Tehran also sends ammunition with a Boeing 747 with the registration number of EP-FAB, loading them at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport.
“Several weeks ago, Iranian air force changed the registration number and ownership of a Boeing 757 EP-SHH to Caspian airlines,” he said, “this airplane was identified, stroke and heavily damaged by Israel last year. After that it was transferred to Tehran and was repaired again.”
“Mahan air also plans to use one of its Boeing 747-400 with the registration number EP-MNB to send forces, weapon and ammunition to Venezuela,” the source reported.
Mahan Air was sanctioned by US treasury in December 2018 “for providing financial, material and technological support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force” in Syria.
Germany cancelled operating license of Mahan Air in January and banned it from its' airport flights due to the same issues.
