US sanctions network accused of procuring weapons for IRGC as Iran ramps up strikes in Hormuz

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network accused of procuring weapons for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S. Treasury Department identified seven individuals and organizations involved in attempting to purchase and transfer weapons to Iran, violating renewed UN Security Council resolutions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the department will continue to target illicit procurement networks funding Iran's weapons programs. This action occurs amid an escalation of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and parallel U.S. military operations to counter these actions.

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President Trump has been clear that Iran must denuclearize. Treasury will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran’s weapons programs and war machine.

The sanctioned network allegedly utilized aviation and logistics companies in Iran, Italy, and Russia. Key figures include Behrouz Namazi, general director of Tehran-based Nika Jet Company, accused of obtaining weapons for the IRGC through Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited. An Italian national, Dounia Ettaib, reportedly assisted Namazi in procuring weapons. Russian nationals Mariya Vladimirovna Selina and Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin, associated with the Moscow-based aviation transportation company Avratek, were also implicated for supporting Namazi's efforts and coordinating shipments with Iran.

All implicated parties face penalties for providing or attempting to provide financial, material, technological, or other support, or goods and services to the IRGC. The Treasury statement emphasized the disruption of overseas procurement and financial networks that sustain Iran's weapons production and proliferation, which pose a threat to Americans and U.S. partners and allies.

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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 US partners and allies worldwide.