The United States has imposed sanctions on three procurement networks for supplying designated Iranian entities with materials for the production of military weapons under Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs.
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated Iranian-German national Maziar Karim, his companies Mazixon GmbH and Co KG and Mazixon Verwaltungs in Germany, and other companies he used for procuring epoxy resin and other items for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
Turkey-based company Gokler Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi and Mahmut Gok, Gokler’s managing director, were sanctioned for purchasing carbon fiber and solvents for MODAFL. OFAC said Gok used his other companies in Turkey to support Iranian procurement efforts, including Mahmut Gok Skies Petroleum Dis Ticaret and DM Gold Kiymetli Madenler Anonim Sirketi.
The agency also named Iranian company Pishro Mobtaker Peyvand, PMP Managing Director Rostam Shahmari Ghojeh Biklo, and Mitra Inanlu, the board chair, managing director and beneficial owner of Mandegar Baspar Fajr Asia Company. OFAC said the individuals and entities are involved in acquiring proliferation-sensitive material, including resin, hardener and accelerator, on behalf of Iran Centrifuge Technology for Iran’s nuclear and other military weapons programs. Other businesses that are part of their procurement network are also facing sanctions.
According to Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Department of the Treasury, the sanctions are intended to prevent the proliferation of Iran’s drones and missiles.
“Through complex covert procurement networks, Iran seeks to supply rogue actors around the world with weapons systems that fuel conflict and risk countless civilian lives,” he said. “The United States will continue to use our tools to disrupt these networks.”