U.S. asks Argentina to seize Venezuelan plane linked to Iran

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday asked for permission to confiscate an Iranian plane sold to Venezuelan owners and impounded in Argentina on suspicions it was linked to international terrorist groups
The unannounced arrival of the plane in Argentina on June 8 sparked weeks of intrigue as well as concern within the Argentine government over its ties to Iran and Venezuela and companies sanctioned by the U.S.
The plane was grounded by local authorities on landing.
The DOJ said, the confiscation request followed the unsealing of a July 19 warrant for the plane’s seizure in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which alleged that the aircraft could be confiscated because it violated export control laws.
The DOJ said the U.S.-origin Boeing 747-300 aircraft is subject to sanctions as its sale from Iran’s Mahan Air to Emtrasur last year, part of the Venezuelan Consortium of Aeronautical Industries and Air Services (Conviasa), violates U.S. export laws.
Both companies are sanctioned by the United States for alleged collaboration with terrorist organizations.