On Thursday, the United States State Department announced the designation of one entity and the identification of 13 associated vessels as blocked property for aiding illicit trade in support of Iran’s military. Additionally, one vessel name is being updated on the Specially Designated National (SDN) and Blocked Persons list
“The United States is today designating one entity and identifying 13 associated vessels as blocked property, as well as updating one vessel name on the SDN List, for facilitating illicit trade in support of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL),” the US state department said in the official statement.
The United States will continue to take action against entities that transport cargo or facilitate transactions in support of MODAFL and the AFGS, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or Iran’s foreign proxy and partner groups, it said.
“We remain committed to disrupting illicit funding streams financing Iran’s production of weapons that support Russia’s war against Ukraine and the attacks by Iranian proxy groups throughout the Middle East,” the statement added.
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In February, the United States imposed sanctions on four entities identified as front companies and subsidiaries for US-designated Hamed Dehghan and Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB). These entities have provided materials and sensitive technology for Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV programs, including Shahed-series UAVs used by the Russian military in Ukraine, stated the US State Department. Iranian-made UAVs have been employed in acts of terror, including numerous attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups on US personnel resulting in American casualties.
Additionally, Iran-backed Houthis have conducted attacks on commercial vessels and US naval assets using Iranian-made UAVs and missiles, according to the US State Department. The United States remains committed to employing all available means to expose and hold accountable individuals and entities contributing to the Iranian regime’s proliferation, which directly endangers US personnel in the region and fuels instability in the Middle East and Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
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