WASHINGTON: United States has imposed sanctions on companies from the United Arab Emirates and China, as well as serious allegations against Iran, six entities from the UAE and China, and two Iranians.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions targeting a network comprising two individuals and six entities accused of procuring drone components for the Iranian government. This action, coordinated with the U.S. Justice Department, seeks to restrict Iran’s capability to provide drones to terrorist proxy forces in both the Middle East and Russia.
The network operates across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and China, allegedly supplying parts to Qods Aviation Industries, a significant drone manufacturer based in Tehran. The network is also implicated in facilitating transactions for Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, both of which are connected to Iran’s missile and drone initiatives.
Previously designated on December 12, 2013, Qods Aviation Industries has established ties to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was labeled a terrorist organization by former President Donald Trump during his first term.
The Justice Department has filed criminal charges against two Iranian nationals, Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, as well as the Tehran-based Rah Roshd Company. The duo allegedly conspired to provide material support to the IRGC and unlawfully procure U.S. technology for Iranian drone operations. Both individuals remain at large.
The imposition of sanctions blocks all U.S.-located assets of the designated parties and prohibits Americans from conducting business with them. Entities that facilitate transactions with these groups could face significant penalties.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “Iran’s proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles poses a threat to civilians, U.S. personnel, and our allies. We will persist in disrupting Iran’s military-industrial complex and its illicit weapons supply chain.”
These recent sanctions align with President Trump’s February decision to reinstate “maximum pressure” on Iran while navigating the complexities of a new nuclear agreement with the Iranian regime.
In a related development, Iran has officially dismissed the notion of direct talks with the U.S. following a letter sent by Trump earlier in March. Trump has emphasized that a diplomatic resolution would be preferable to military options, expressing on Fox Business Network that “the other alternative is you have to do something because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
In response, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning on Monday, stating that the United States and Israel would face “a strong reciprocal blow” should they opt for military action against Iran.
