Washington has declared a significant expansion of sanctions targeting 32 individuals and entities across seven nations, aiming to disrupt the global networks fueling Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs. The countries affected include India, China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, and Iran, highlighting the international reach of these operations.
The State Department stated that the primary objective is to dismantle the procurement systems that provide the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with the necessary resources for its weapons manufacturing. These networks are crucial for Iran’s development of advanced weaponry, including unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range missiles, which contribute to regional instability.
This latest action supports the ongoing enforcement of United Nations sanctions, which were reimposed due to Iran’s repeated failure to comply with its nuclear obligations. The existing UN resolutions strictly forbid the transfer of weapons technologies and dual-use items that could advance Iran’s missile or nuclear capabilities. The US has issued a clear call for all nations to uphold these UN mandates and actively prevent Iran’s illicit arms proliferation.
The sanctioned entities were allegedly operating through commercial fronts and intermediaries to acquire and transfer restricted technologies worldwide. These measures align with US policy to choke off funding and resources for the IRGC’s destabilizing activities. The US Treasury Department has confirmed that the designations are made under executive orders specifically designed to counter weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorist financing. The US administration remains resolute in its commitment to dismantle Iran’s illicit procurement web, emphasizing that Iran’s missile and UAV programs pose a serious threat to international security.