Iran's Mahan Air has acquired nine large commercial aircraft worth over $300 million in defiance of international sanctions.  Mahan Air, which has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union for its ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is suspected of using Iraq's Al-Naser Airlines as a front to buy the aircraft from Europe.  The European companies involved were apparently unaware of the final destination of the airplanes.  The U.S. Treasury Department has implicated Mahan Air in sending advisers and weapons to Syria and Yemen on behalf of the IRGC's Qod's Force.  The nine aircraft acquired are used commercial jets manufactured between 2001 and 2009: eight Airbus A340s and one Airbus A320.