The United States on Tuesday announced new sanctions on Chinese, Iranian, Russian, and Turkish companies and people it said were supplying equipment for Iran’s drone and military aircraft development.
Those targeted for sanctions include one Chinese company and two individuals. Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Co., Ltd. facilitates the supply of components that could be used to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), such as aerospace-grade radar altimeter systems and sensors, to Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, the Treasury Department said in a statement.
“Iran’s continued, deliberate proliferation of its UAVs enables Russia, its proxies in the Middle East, and other destabilizing actors to undermine global stability,” Brian E Nelson, Treasury’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
“The United States will continue to take action against Iran’s UAV procurement networks, and encourages jurisdictions to exercise the due diligence necessary to prevent the export of these components to Iran,” he said.
In March, the Treasury Department added five China-based entities as well as one individual to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons lists, accusing them of being “responsible for the sale and shipment of thousands of aerospace components” to the Iranian drone maker.
The administration named the Shahed-136 drones produced by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, saying Iran used that type of drone to attack oil tankers. It also said the Shahed-136 model was sold to Russia, which was used in the attack on Ukraine.
Chinese entities targeted at that time were Hangzhou Fuyang Koto Machinery Co., Raven International Trade, S&C Trade PTY Co., Shenzhen Caspro Technology Co., and Guilin Alpha Rubber and Plastics Technology Co.
On Tuesday, Guilin Alpha’s China-based director and controlling shareholder, Dong Wenbo, and Shenzhen Jiasibo’s owner and managing director, Su Chunpeng, were also designated by the United States.
The Treasury also on Tuesday issued sanctions on three individuals based in Iran, three entities based in Russia, and two individuals in Türkiye.
Tehran repeatedly denied it sent weapons to Moscow since the war began. On Monday, Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi acknowledged that Iran and Russia have long had strong ties. But he denied his country had sent drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.
The State Department said Iran will be held responsible for its actions.
“Iran’s UAV procurement, development, and proliferation destabilize the Middle East region and support Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt these efforts and will work with Allies and partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions.”
