The sanctions target seven individuals and four entities in the four countries that it claimed have “facilitated shipments and financial transactions” to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company and its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and military aircraft efforts, the US Department of Treasury said in a statement on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
“Iran’s continued, deliberate proliferation of its UAVs enables Russia, its proxies in the Middle East, and other destabilizing actors to undermine global stability,” US Treasury Under Secretary of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson claimed in a statement, according to Reuters.
“The United States will continue to take action against Iran’s UAV procurement networks, and encourages jurisdictions to exercise the due diligence necessary to prevent the export of these components to Iran,” he added.
Washington had earlier sanctioned five China-based companies and one individual over selling and shipping aerospace components, including parts used for drones, to the Iranian company, according to the Treasury.
US officials had said more sanctions on Iran were expected even though they hypocritically call for talks with Iran.
The Islamic Republic has, on repeated occasions, roundly rejected Washington’s allegations, saying it has not sold any weapons and drones to be used in the war against Ukraine.
Tehran has announced its opposition to the Ukraine war and has called on the warring sides for dialogue to end the war immediately.
MNA/PR