Aviation

US DOJ asks Argentina to seize Boeing 747 freighter linked to Iran

Emtrasur cargo plane, which Iran’s Mahan Air claimed it sold to Venezuela a year ago, touched down in Buenos Aires on June 8.

A local opposition politician and Iranian state media said on Sunday that Argentine authorities had grounded a Venezuelan Boeing 747 freight plane with ties to Iran. This evolving scenario is shining a spotlight on political undercurrents in Latin America. The Emtrasur cargo plane, which Iran’s Mahan Air claimed it sold to Venezuela a year ago, touched down in Buenos Aires on June 8 according to flight monitoring information. The legislator and Iranian media said that officials afterwards confiscated it.

Iran and Venezuela are both subject to U.S. sanctions and have a close relationship. A 20-year plan of cooperation was inked by the two nations on Saturday. Alberto Fernandez, the center-left president of Argentina, has denounced the United States’ sanctions against Venezuela.

14 Venezuelans and 5 Iranians were on board, according to a document from the Interior Ministry that Milman released. The names of everyone on board were listed. According to source Argentine media, a lawyer filed a habeas corpus in Argentina asking for the crew to release the plane and restore passengers’ passports. Argentinian authorities also searched the 747 and found “a Mahan Air flight log documenting the aircraft’s flights after the unlawful transfer to Emtrasur.

Acting Assistant Director of Counterterrorism Kevin Vorndran of the FBI said, “This seizure underscores the FBI’s tenacity in using all of our powers to hold the Iranian Government and related people and businesses accountable when they violate US laws. The FBI, along with our international allies, will continue to look for those people who advance Iran’s malicious operations and make sure they are brought to justice, regardless of where, or how, they attempt to hide.

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.