The United States has imposed extensive sanctions on 32 individuals and entities across seven nations, including India, Iran, China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Turkiye. These actions target complex procurement networks accused of fueling Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs. A State Department spokesperson stated that these sanctions aim to dismantle systems supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its military production. These networks are instrumental in Iran’s pursuit of advanced weaponry, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and long-range missiles. This move aligns with Washington’s enforcement of UN sanctions that were reinstated due to Iran’s continued non-compliance with its nuclear obligations. The renewed UN restrictions specifically prohibit the transfer of weapons technologies, components, and dual-use items that could advance Iran’s missile or nuclear ambitions. The US urges all UN member states to actively prevent the movement of sensitive materials into Iran and to halt Iran’s proliferation activities. These sanctioned networks have been identified as operating through commercial fronts and intermediaries to move restricted technologies globally. This represents a significant escalation in the US campaign to curb Iran’s weapons development, reinforcing existing policies aimed at isolating the IRGC from resources needed for regional destabilization. The Treasury Department confirmed these designations fall under executive orders targeting weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorist financing. Washington vows to continue dismantling Iran’s illicit procurement network, emphasizing that Iran’s missile and UAV programs pose a persistent threat to regional and international security.
