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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

US tightens pressure on Iran's weapons procurement network with sanctions

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The US Treasury Department sanctioned four individuals and three entities involved in Iran's international weapons procurement network.
  • These sanctions aim to disrupt the flow of weapons to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • The US stated its commitment to preventing Iran from accessing resources that fuel regional instability.

The United States has intensified its pressure on Iran, imposing sanctions on individuals and entities accused of facilitating the country's international weapons procurement network. The move comes as the US continues its military actions against Iran, now in their fifth day.

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against four individuals and three organizations on July 15, citing their involvement in supplying weapons to Iran. The Treasury Department highlighted that these actions reveal Iran's methods of using foreign aviation, transport, and financial intermediaries to conceal illicit procurement and move goods and personnel globally.

Among the sanctioned individuals is Behrouz Namazi, an Iranian national allegedly working to secure weapons for the IRGC, along with three procurement officials from Russia and Italy. The sanctioned entities include Nika Jet, a Tehran-based company dealing in aircraft and drone parts managed by Namazi, a Nigerian arms broker, and a Russian air transport company.

This sanctions designation illustrates Iran’s use of foreign aviation, transport, and financial intermediaries to conceal its illicit procurement and move goods and personnel around the world.

— US Treasury DepartmentThe Treasury Department explaining the rationale behind the sanctions targeting Iran's weapons procurement network.

These sanctions will result in the freezing of any assets these individuals and entities hold within the United States or under the control of US persons. Transactions with American citizens are also prohibited. Furthermore, foreign financial institutions engaging in significant dealings with the sanctioned parties could face secondary sanctions.

The OFAC stated its ongoing commitment to dismantling overseas procurement and financial networks that support Iran's weapons production and proliferation efforts, which threaten US citizens, partners, and allies. The State Department echoed this sentiment, affirming that the US will continue to block Iran's access to resources necessary for its destabilizing activities in the region.

The United States will continue to block Iran’s access to the resources necessary for its destabilizing activities in the region.

— US State DepartmentThe State Department reaffirming the US commitment to countering Iran's regional influence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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