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The US government has unveiled new sanctions against individuals and entities in Iran, China, and Hong Kong for their support of Iran’s Ministry of Defense.
What the US is saying: Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said, “Iran’s reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs risks further instability and endangers civilian lives, both in the region and around the world. Today’s action exposes additional key front companies and trusted agents through which Iran has sought to acquire these components. The United States will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate Iran’s ability to produce these deadly weapons.”
Who’s sanctioned:
Beijing SNTD Procurement Network: Sayyed Ali Seraj Hashemi, an Iranian working for Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Co., Ltd, helped get key parts like accelerometers and gyroscopes for Iran’s missile program. He worked in both Iran and China to coordinate these purchases, collaborating with another procurement agent, Saeed Hamidi Javar. His efforts supported Iran’s Ministry of Defense in building and enhancing its missile and UAV capabilities.
The SAPA procurement network: Centered around Iran’s Electro-Optic Sairan Industries Co, was sanctioned for obtaining military components for Iran’s defense ministry. Key players include Mohammad Abdollahi and Thomas Ho Ming Tong, from Hong Kong, who used their companies to buy and pay for essential optical parts like gratings and lens arrays. These components were crucial for developing UAVs, some of which are used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Azmoon Pajohan Hesgar Limited Liability Company (APH): An Iranian test equipment manufacturer was sanctioned for its involvement in procuring electronic components and missile-related items for Iran’s Ministry of Defense. APH, led by Ezzatullah Ghasemian Sorbani, facilitated the acquisition of critical items like gyroscopes for Iran’s military subordinate organizations, including the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG), which oversees Iran’s solid-fueled ballistic missile program.
Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd: A Chinese company, was sanctioned for providing technological support to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Specializing in inertial navigation and GPS-integrated systems, Shenzhen Rion supplied crucial components for Iran’s UAV programs through MODAFL front company Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Co., Ltd. The US Department of Commerce had previously added Shenzhen Rion to its Entity List in December 2021 for its involvement in supplying US-origin items to Iran, violating export controls.
