The United States has announced new sanctions today on two Iran-based entities and one senior Iranian official, targeting those responsible for supporting Iran’s missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, which continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security. These actions are part of the ongoing U.S. effort to disrupt Iran’s proliferation of weapons, particularly those used in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and in destabilizing activities across the Middle East.
Sanctions Target Key Players in UAV Production
The two Iranian entities, Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia and Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif, have been linked to the Shahed series UAVs, which have been used by Russia in its attacks against Ukraine, including targeting civilian infrastructure. Both entities play crucial roles in the production and assembly of Shahed-136 UAVs, a type of one-way attack drone supplied by Iran to Russia.
- Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia specializes in manufacturing aviation components, including the parts and bodies of Shahed-136 UAVs. The company is reported to operate as a front for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in 2019.
- Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif is responsible for producing key electronic components, including circuits and optical and communication systems for the Shahed UAVs. This entity is heavily involved in the aerospace engineering services sector and contributes directly to the UAVs’ operational capabilities.
Both companies have been designated under Executive Order (E.O.) 13949, which targets those who materially contribute to the supply or transfer of arms and related materials to or from Iran, or for Iran’s benefit. These actions reflect the U.S. government’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of military technology from Iran to Russia and other countries of concern.
Senior IRGC Official Designated for Supporting Ballistic Missile Program
The U.S. has also sanctioned Brigadier General Sayyed Hosein Majid Mousavi Eftekhari, Deputy Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force. Eftekhari is a key figure in Iran’s ballistic missile program and has been linked to activities that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, including missiles capable of delivering such weapons.
Eftekhari is being designated under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets individuals and entities involved in the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery, including missiles. His designation underscores the U.S. commitment to holding accountable those who facilitate the spread of dangerous weapons and technologies that destabilize the region and threaten global security.
U.S. Efforts to Disrupt Iran’s Proliferation Activities
These sanctions reflect the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Iran’s dangerous proliferation activities in the region. Iran’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine through the supply of Shahed-136 UAVs has been a critical focus for U.S. authorities, as these drones have been used in attacks against civilians and vital infrastructure in Ukraine. The U.S. has also continued to press Iran on its missile and UAV programs, which contribute to further instability in the Middle East and beyond.
Matthew Miller, the U.S. Department of State Spokesperson, emphasized that the U.S. will continue to hold accountable those responsible for Iran’s weapons programs and destabilizing activities. “We will continue to impose costs on those who enable Iran’s dangerous proliferation of ballistic missiles and drones,” Miller stated, reaffirming the U.S. government’s dedication to promoting peace and security in the Middle East and the wider international community.
A Continued Commitment to Addressing Iran’s Proliferation of Weapons
The United States has made it clear that it will continue to target those who contribute to Iran’s missile and UAV programs, which pose a direct threat to regional stability and global security. These latest sanctions are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Iran’s military-industrial capabilities, prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and counter Iran’s efforts to evade international sanctions.