The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned four Iranian entities and an executive for enabling the production of components for Iran‘s unmanned aerial vehicle program.
Brian Nelson, undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said the restrictive measures, including blocking of assets, aim to “disrupt Iran’s production and proliferation of deadly UAVs that continue to be used by Russia against Ukraine and by regional terrorist proxies against our troops.”
The entities subject to sanctions are Rayan Fan Kav Andish, Kish Mechatronics and RFKA subsidiaries Fanavarihaye Hava Pishran Sazeh Sepehr and Mersad Mohajer. All of the businesses are affiliated with the company Rayan Roshd Afzar, which OFAC previously designated for the procurement of critical Iranian drone parts.
Afshin Khajeh Fard, chief of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics subsidiary Iran Aviation Industries Organization, is also subject to U.S. sanctions for his role in the company’s production of UAVs and missiles.
The European Union previously announced sanctions against IAIO, the parent company of OFAC-designated drone manufacturers Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company and Qods Aviation Industries.