The U.S. Sanctions 20 Individuals and Entities Linked to Iran's Missile and Drone Programs

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on Wednesday, October 18, sanctions against 11 individuals, eight entities, and one ship due to their involvement in the destabilizing ballistic missile and drone programs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the Treasury Department's statement, those sanctioned are located in Iran, the People's Republic of China, and Venezuela. The sanctioned individuals have supported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, or their subordinates in the production and proliferation of missiles and drones. Brian Nelson, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the proliferation of 'destructive drones' and other weapons by the Islamic Republic of Iran prolongs numerous conflicts in the region and around the world. He added that 'the United States will continue its efforts to disrupt the proliferation of drones and other weapons by Iran to repressive regimes and destabilizing actors, and we encourage the international community to do the same.' The Treasury Department's statement noted the simultaneous imposition of sanctions on Wednesday with Europe's decision to maintain sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, conventional weapons, and ballistic missiles despite the expiration of these sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 2231. It emphasized that 'the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to countering the threat posed by the procurement, development, and proliferation of missiles, drones, and other military weapons by Iran.' Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department, in response to whether the expiration of Iran's arms restrictions is a concern for the U.S., told Voice of America that President Joe Biden takes the Iranian threat extremely seriously. The State Department also stated in a written response to Voice of America on Wednesday, October 18, that 'under the Biden administration, the United States has taken numerous actions to address Iran's nuclear program, the development and proliferation of missiles and drones, financing of terrorism, and other concerning and destabilizing behaviors both domestically and globally.' According to the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, on October 18, 2023, the UN-imposed restrictions on some of Iran's arms programs will be lifted. However, the lifting of these sanctions has been conditional on the Iranian government not engaging in any prohibited military activities over the past eight years—from the conclusion of the JCPOA agreement until the expiration of these sanctions. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has been accused by the United States and the JCPOA parties of violating this resolution. The Islamic Republic of Iran claims it has no intention of building nuclear weapons and describes its nuclear program as peaceful. Australia has sanctioned three individuals and 11 Iranian entities for their role in the Islamic Republic's arms program. The U.S. has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities linked to Hamas militants. The UK maintains nuclear and missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic. CNN reports that the U.S. is transferring seized Iranian weapons to Ukraine. The U.S. has sanctioned five companies and two individuals for supplying 'sensitive components' for Iranian-made drones.