In a significant crackdown, the United States has imposed sanctions on 32 individuals and entities spanning seven countries, including India, Iran, China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkiye. The US State Department alleges these targets are involved in sophisticated global networks facilitating Iran’s ballistic missile and drone development programs. These sanctions are specifically designed to choke off the resources and supply chains that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its weapons manufacturing efforts. The crackdown aligns with the US enforcement of United Nations sanctions, reimposed due to Iran’s ongoing failure to uphold its nuclear commitments. These UN resolutions explicitly prohibit the transfer of technologies and components that could bolster Iran’s missile or nuclear capabilities. The US has called upon all nations to uphold these international mandates and prevent the clandestine movement of sensitive materials into Iran, emphasizing the need for decisive action against Iran’s proliferation activities. The identified networks are reportedly operating through commercial fronts and intermediaries to obscure their illicit operations. This move signifies another critical phase in the US strategy to contain Iran’s advanced weapons development and curb its regional destabilizing influence. The US Treasury Department has placed these entities under executive orders targeting both weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorist financing networks. Washington has affirmed its commitment to employing all available measures to dismantle Iran’s illicit procurement web, asserting that the country’s missile and UAV programs pose a serious and ongoing threat to global security that will not be tolerated.
