US Sanctions Iranian Network Supporting IRGC Weapons Procurement

The United States has imposed new sanctions on seven individuals and entities accused of supporting the weapons procurement efforts of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated these actors as part of an international network facilitating illicit procurement and the movement of materials and personnel globally.

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The actors designated today exemplify Iran's use of foreign aviation and transport firms, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to obscure the IRGC's role in illicit procurement and to move material and personnel globally.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the U.S. stance on Iran's denuclearization, stating, "Treasury will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran's weapons programs and war machine." The sanctions aim to counter Iran's alleged use of foreign aviation, transport firms, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to conceal the IRGC's involvement in illegal activities.

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OFAC will continue to disrupt the overseas procurement and financial networks that sustain Iran's weapons production and proliferation efforts, which threaten Americans and U.S. partners and allies worldwide.

In parallel, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced military strikes against Iranian military targets in multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas, Khormuj, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Tunb, Bushehr, and Kuh-e Stak. These strikes, conducted on Tuesday, were intended to degrade Iran's capacity to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM criticized Iran for targeting innocent civilians transiting the strait and neighboring Gulf countries.

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Treasury will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran's weapons programs and war machine.

The developments follow a series of strikes by U.S. forces targeting Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems. These operations, lasting seven hours, aimed to weaken Tehran's ability to threaten commercial navigation. Meanwhile, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that the IRGC and national army announced missile and drone strikes against U.S. military positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, framing them as retaliation.

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The American forces on Tuesday hit Iranian military targets in Bandar Abbas, Khormuj, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Tunb, Bushehr, and Kuh-e Stak to 'degrade' Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.