Designating Facilitators and Financiers of Iran’s Illicit UAV Transfers

The United States is today imposing sanctions on 16 entities and eight individuals, as well as identifying as blocked property five vessels and one aircraft, that have facilitated illicit trade and the sale of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in support of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and the regime's UAV development and procurement. Concurrent with this action, the United Kingdom and Canada are imposing sanctions targeting several entities and individuals involved in Iran's UAV procurement and other military-related activities, respectively.

Among today's targets is Sahara Thunder, a key front company for MODAFL's illicit financing and a central player in Iran's design, development, manufacture, and sale of thousands of UAVs, many of which have ultimately been transferred to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.

The United States will continue to hold Iran accountable for its transfer of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to Russia and to regional proxies.

The Department of the Treasury actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, E.O. 13382, and E.O. 14024. For more information on today's action, please see Treasury's press release.

Tags