Aid to Iranian Attack Drone Program Leads to US Sanctions on Entities and Individuals
A view of drones during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Reuters)
The United States took action on Wednesday by imposing sanctions on entities and individuals from China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. These sanctions were implemented due to their involvement in aiding the Iranian attack drone program. Washington accuses this program of supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury announced that it has placed sanctions on five entities and two individuals who were part of a network responsible for procuring sensitive parts for Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. These parts include servomotors, which play a crucial role in controlling the position and speed of the drones.
The network facilitated shipments and financial transactions for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ procurement of servomotors used in Iran’s Shahed-136 drones. The Treasury revealed that a motor procured by this network was recently discovered in the remains of a Russia-operated Shahed-136 drone that was shot down in Ukraine.
“Iranian-made UAVs continue to be a key tool for Russia in its attacks in Ukraine, including those that terrorize Ukrainian citizens and target critical infrastructure,” stated Brian Nelson, the Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Iran denies providing Russia with drones for use in Ukraine.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States and its allies imposed extensive sanctions on Russia. However, supply channels from neighboring Turkey and other trading hubs have remained open. This has prompted repeated warnings from Washington regarding the export of chemicals, microchips, and other products that can be utilized in Moscow’s war efforts.
The United Arab Emirates has also been previously criticized by the United States for “poor sanctions compliance.”
The entities and individuals targeted by the Treasury’s sanctions include Iran-based Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company (PESC) and its chief executive Hamid Reza Janghorbani. PESC is accused of procuring thousands of servomotors with one-way attack drone uses. The Treasury also targeted Hong Kong-based Hongkong Himark Electron Model Limited (Hongkong Himark) and its official Fan Yang, who fulfilled servomotor orders for PESC in Iran. Additionally, two Turkey-based firms, Dal Enerji Madencilik Turizm Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi and Anka Port Ic Ve Dis Ticaret INSAAT Lojistik Sanayi Limited Sirketi, were accused of facilitating transactions in support of PESC’s servomotor procurement from Hongkong Himark. The Treasury also placed sanctions on UAE-based Farhad Ghaedi Goods Wholesalers LLC, accusing it of facilitating the shipment of servomotors via Dubai for delivery to PESC in Iran.
As a consequence of these sanctions, all property belonging to the sanctioned entities and individuals that falls under U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked and reported to the Treasury.
(Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and by Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn.; writing by Arshad Mohammed; editing by Susan Heavey and Timothy Gardner)
How do the US sanctions on networks responsible for procuring sensitive parts for Iran’s drone program disrupt and dismantle illicit activities
Y’s Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “Today’s action highlights our commitment to disrupt and dismantle networks that aid Iran’s illicit activities and support its destabilizing behavior,” he added.
The entities and individuals that have been sanctioned include Beijing Star United Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. (Star United), Jiangsu Hengtong Photoelectric Co., Ltd. (Hengtong), China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CPMIEC), and Eric Lu and Sun Feng, who are individuals associated with Hengtong. The sanctions entail the freezing of any assets these entities and individuals may have within US jurisdiction and the prohibition of any dealings with them by US citizens.
Furthermore, the US government has also designated nine additional individuals and entities for supporting the Iranian attack drone program. These include Turkey-based Adiguzel Gokhan İstiklal, who has been involved in the procurement of electronic components for Iran; UAE-based Nasr Izadpanah, for acting as a front company for Iranian procurement networks; China-based LoPropulsion Systems Technology Co., Ltd., for supplying components and software to Iran’s UAV program; and two individuals associated with Chinese companies, Linuo Paradigma Co., Ltd. and LI Zhiwei. These designations serve as a warning to other entities and individuals that may be considering engaging in similar activities.
The US sanctions come amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern region showing no signs of abating. The use of Iranian-made attack drones by Russia in Ukraine is seen as a significant threat to Ukraine’s national security. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the sophisticated weaponry supplied to Russian-backed separatists, which includes these attack drones.
The sanctions are part of the US government’s broader effort to counter Iran’s malign activities and prevent the proliferation of advanced military technology to countries like Russia. Iran’s drone program has long been a subject of concern, as the country has been accused of supplying armed drones to militant groups in the Middle East. These drones have been used for offensive purposes, posing a threat to regional stability and the safety of civilians.
In conclusion, the US sanctions on entities and individuals involved in aiding the Iranian attack drone program highlight the seriousness with which the United States views the proliferation of such technology. By targeting the networks responsible for procuring sensitive parts for Iran’s drone program, Washington is taking a decisive step in disrupting illicit activities and supporting Ukraine’s national security. The sanctions also serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering engaging in similar activities, signaling the US government’s commitment to peace, stability, and the protection of civilians in conflict-affected regions.
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