The U.S. government on Tuesday, March 27 announced sanctions against an Iranian cargo airline, a trading company and military officials for allegedly shipping weapons to Syria and Africa, AFP reported.

The Treasury Department laid down sanctions against Yas Air, Behineh Trading and three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Yas Air is accused of transporting a consignment of Kalashnikov AK-47s, machine guns, mortars and ammunition to Syria under cover of humanitarian aid or "auto spare parts".

Shipping company Behineh Trading was accused of trying to transport weapons grenades, rockets, mortars, and ammunition to Gambia. The shipments were blocked and seized in Nigeria in October 2010.

The officials included the Revolutionary Guards commander responsible for the organization's Africa Corps.