The US has expanded its sanctions restrictions against Iran, including a company from Kazakhstan in the documentation for the new measures. Tour Invest LLC, linked to the sale of services for the Iranian airline Mahan Air, has come under the scrutiny of the American Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
WHAT IS KNOWN
The US Department of the Treasury stated that the Kazakh tourism company Tour Invest LLC acted as the general sales agent for Mahan Air. According to the American agency, the company was added to the list of entities that provided material, financial, or technological support to the Iranian carrier.
Alongside the Kazakh company, the US documentation also mentions organisations from Turkey, the UAE, and Malaysia connected to the activities of Iranian airlines.
WHAT STATUS DOES THE COMPANY HAVE
As OFAC notes, Tour Invest LLC has been designated with the marker "Secondary sanctions risk".
This wording differs from the status "Subject to Secondary Sanctions". Therefore, it cannot be claimed that secondary US sanctions have already been imposed on the company.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE COMPANY
According to National Business, Tour Invest LLC has been registered in Almaty since 2014 as a tour operator. The company is classified as a small enterprise and has fewer than five employees.
Among the company's founders are listed Ansar Duisengaliyev and Ziai Babak Ali, who is also named as the director of the LLC and head of the "Iranian Business Centre" in Kazakhstan.
WHY THE US HAS TIGHTENED RESTRICTIONS
The new measures form part of the US campaign to intensify economic pressure on Iran. American authorities stated that they aim to restrict Iranian air carriers' access to aircraft, spare parts, and technologies of American origin.
In total, Washington announced 36 new sanctions measures, and the restrictions affected 27 Iranian airlines. It is noted that foreign companies and individuals providing support to such carriers may also face restrictions.
CONTEXT
Previously, Kazakh companies also appeared in the 21st sanctions package of the European Union (EU) against Russia. Among the companies registered in Kazakhstan included in the new list were TaU KZ LLC (Astana) and KBR-Technologies LLC (Petropavlovsk).
In April 2026, the EU approved the 20th sanctions package against Russia, which included companies from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan.
