The U.S. Sanctions Individuals and Entities in Four Countries Due to Ties with Iran's Aviation Industries

On Tuesday, September 19, the Biden administration imposed new sanctions related to the Islamic Republic, targeting individuals and entities in Iran, Russia, China, and Turkey connected to drones and military aircraft manufactured by the Islamic Republic. The U.S. Treasury Department announced in a statement that the sanctions target seven individuals and four entities in these four countries, which, according to the department, have facilitated transportation and financial transactions to Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA) in relation to the production of drones and military aircraft. Brian Nelson, U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary for Financial Terrorism, stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, through its ongoing and deliberate production of drones, enables Russia, its proxy forces in the Middle East, and other actors contributing to instability to undermine global stability." He added, "The U.S. will continue to act against Iran's drone procurement networks and encourages judicial authorities to take necessary measures to prevent the export of parts to Iran." HESA produces the "Ababil" and "Shahed" drones and has been on the U.S. sanctions list since 2008. However, as noted in the U.S. Treasury statement, it uses the name "Shahin" in contracts with suppliers outside Iran, which the department described as a "clear effort" to evade U.S. sanctions and export controls. Washington had previously sanctioned five companies based in China and one individual for selling and transporting aerospace-related parts, including those used in drones, to this Iranian company. As a result of the new sanctions, all assets and properties of individuals and entities in the U.S. or under the control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury. According to the report, any entity that is 50% directly or indirectly owned by one or more sanctioned individuals will also be subject to sanctions. Despite the prisoner exchange between Iran and the U.S., the United States has imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury announced simultaneously with the prisoner exchange that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president, and the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic were sanctioned for their involvement in the detention of American citizens in Iran during his presidency. On the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death while in the custody of the morality police, the U.S. also announced sanctions against 29 officials and entities and imposed visa restrictions on 13 officials of the Islamic Republic. The U.S. stated that the Iranian regime continues to lie about its military relations with Russia. The NATO Deputy Secretary-General visited Israel; NATO is a partner in security concerns with Israel. Ukraine claims to have shot down 22 Iranian "Shahed" drones in the skies over Odessa. The Pentagon reacted to the "assembly of Iranian drones" in Russia, stating it will use all tools to disrupt "malicious" actions. The Washington Post reported that Russia seeks to make the "Shahed 136" more advanced and efficient. Britain sanctioned the Iranian drone manufacturing company "Paravar Pars" and its managers.