Saudia publicly denied selling five Boeing 777-200ER aircraft directly to Iran’s Mahan Air, clarifying the planes were sold to a foreign company registered outside Saudi Arabia on 7 June 2023. The carrier emphasized zero operational or commercial relationship with the aircraft since the transaction, which followed standard legal procedures. Industry reports confirm at least three former Saudia 777s arrived in Iran between 26 June and 1 July 2026, with two spotted at Tehran Mehrabad for refurbishment. One aircraft lost transponder signal upon entering Iranian airspace, indicating active ferry movement. Despite viral claims of a direct Saudi-Iran deal, the transfer involved secondary-market intermediaries and temporary registrations, exposing sanctions gaps in global aviation logistics while expanding Mahan Air’s widebody capacity.