US Charges Iran with Using Commercial Aircraft to Arm Syrians

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Washington has again accused Iran of providing military aid to the Syrian government in its battle against rebel forces and then allowing those same weapons to kill innocent civilians.

The Treasury Department issued a statement Wednesday that Tehran is undertaking "deceptive practices" that allows Damascus to get a hold of ammunition and other equipment "that contribute to the regime's violence against the Syrian people."

According to U.S. officials, as many as 117 aircraft from Iran have made arms and equipment deliveries to government forces.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard is hoping to evade detection, the Treasury Department report said, by enlisting aircraft from commercial carriers, Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Yas Air.

All three have been previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard, which is the real military power in Iran.

Earlier this week, one member of the unit admitted that Iran was providing "advice" to the Syrian army without elaborating about what that meant.

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