U.S. Targets Entities Buying European Equipment for Iranian Weapons

The United States on Tuesday slapped sanctions against Iran's military drone procurement network and its weapons programs to tighten its financial vices on Tehran as it continues to supply drones to Russia.

Two Iranians and one Turk; Tehran-based companies - the Defense Technology and Science Research Center, Farazan Industrial Engineering and Selin Technic; and Turkish company Ozone Havacilik Ve Savunma Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi were blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury for procuring equipment, including engines from Europe, on behalf of Iran to support its UAV and weapons program.

"Iran's proliferation of weapons destabilizes the Middle East," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "The United States will continue to act to disrupt Iran's proliferation of UAVs and work with allies and partners to counter Iran's weapons proliferation."

The Biden administration assessed that Tehran has been supplying the Kremlin with Shahed-131 and 136 loitering munitions, which have a range of 560 and 930 miles, respectively, since August.

The measure comes less than two weeks after Washington targeted a China-based network in connection with Iran’s UAV procurement efforts.

Treasury officials said one of the Iranians affected by sanctions attempted to provide Europe-made engines that have UAV and surface-to-air missile applications to Paidar and Farazan Industrial Engineering.

The Biden administration said another individual, who’s the owner of Selin Technic, was hit for supplying items, such as marine electronics, to Paidar and the Defense Technology and Science Research Center (DTSRC). The company allegedly also sent various equipment to UAV developers Qods Aviation Industries and Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company.

DTSRC is majority owned by Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which oversees firms involved in UAV and ballistic missile development.

Selin Technic is also accused of being a front company to conduct trade with Paidar and other designated Iranian military entities.

The sanctions freeze assets of all those named and prohibits U.S. citizens from doing business with them.