Treasury hits Iran drone makers with new round of sanctions

Clyde Hughes
·2 min read
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UPI
Iranian new drone 'Mohajer 10' is displayed during a ceremony on the occasion of Iran Defense Industry Day, in Tehran, Iran, on August 23. The United States issued sanctions on Wednesday against those helping Iran develop its program. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE

Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The Treasury Department announced on Wednesday a new round of sanctions against those connected with Iran's military drone program that has been used to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In the new sanctions, the Treasury designated five entities and two individuals from Iran, China, Hong Kong, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates for providing "sensitive parts" to Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle program.

Iran has allegedly been supplying Russia with drones to supplement its attacks on Ukraine. Iran and Russia have denied involvement.

The sanctions follow up on penalties the Treasury levied on Sept. 19 against seven individuals and four entities to helping Iran with its wartime drone program.

Leading the list of new entities and individuals includes Iran's Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company, of PESC, which has purchased thousands of servomotors with "one-way attack UAV applications."

Also sanctioned is Hamid Reza Janghorbani, who serves as the CEO for PESC.

"PESC is being designated ... for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological, or other support," the Treasury said in a statement.

Sanctions include Hongkong Himark Electron Model Limited and its official Fan Yang; Turkey-based firms of Dal Enerji Madencilik Turizm Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi and Anka Port Ic Ve Dis Ticaret INSAAT Lojistik Sanayi Limited Sirketi; and UAE-based Farhad Ghaedi Goods Wholesalers LLC.

"This network has facilitated shipments and financial transactions in support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization's procurement of servomotors, a critical component used in Iran's Shahed-series UAVs," the Treasury said.

"Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed-136 UAVsto support Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. One of the servomotors procured by the network designated today was recovered in the remnants of a Russia-operated Shahed-136 that was recently shot down in Ukraine."