The U.S. Sanctions 'Major Networks Facilitating Military Financial Operations' of the Islamic Republic

On Wednesday, December 8, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it has targeted 'major networks' facilitating military financial operations in Iran. In a statement, the Treasury Department said that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned over 20 individuals and organizations for their involvement in networks facilitating the financial operations of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, and the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The department added that the Islamic Republic generates billions of dollars through the sale of goods to finance its 'destabilizing regional activities and support for several proxy groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.' The statement indicated that the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, and the Quds Force utilize complex networks of companies and brokers based abroad for 'illegal business activities' and exploitation of the international financial system. Brian Nelson, the U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the Quds Force and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic continue to fund 'fomenting conflict and spreading terror across the region' through their involvement in illegal financial schemes. According to him, the United States remains committed to exposing elements of the Islamic Republic's armed forces and their accomplices outside Iran to disrupt 'this vital' financial source. The U.S. also noted that military cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia is destabilizing and harmful to neighboring countries, with the White House stating that the Wagner Group intends to deliver military weapons to Iran and Hezbollah. Additionally, the 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' organization reported that a Western company is providing services to the sanctioned Iranian oil company. New Australian sanctions against Hamas supporters were also mentioned, noting that Australia has targeted Hamas and its funding sources since 2001.