US sanctions network supporting Iran drones, military including China, Hong Kong firms
- US Treasury imposed sanctions on the head of Iran’s Pardazan System Namad Arman (Pasna) and the entity’s front companies and suppliers
- Three China-based suppliers were targeted, alongside a Hong Kong-based company and a Malaysia-based front company
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a procurement network it accused of supporting Iran’s drone and military programmes, targeting companies and suppliers in China, Iran and elsewhere in the fresh action aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.
The US Treasury Department in a statement said it imposed sanctions on the head of Iran’s Pardazan System Namad Arman (Pasna), which was already under US sanctions, and the entity’s front companies and suppliers in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong and China that Washington said have enabled Pasna’s procurement of goods and technology.
It marks the latest move by Washington targeting Iran’s unstaffed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry.
“The network sanctioned today has procured goods and technology for the Iranian government and its defence industry and UAV programme,” the Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.
“Treasury will continue to enforce its sanctions against Iran’s military procurement efforts that contribute to regional insecurity and global instability.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.