(MENAFN) The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced a new round of sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals believed to be involved in procuring equipment for building drones. The sanctions target four companies and three individuals in Iran and Turkey for allegedly purchasing equipment, including European-made engines, for Tehran's drone and weapons programs. The newly sanctioned entities include Iran-based Defence Technology and Science Research Centre, its procurement company Farazan Industrial Engineering, and two other firms, along with purchasing agents from the companies.
“The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” said a statement issued by the US Treasury. “Iran’s well-documented proliferation of UAVs and conventional weapons to its proxies continues to undermine both regional security and global stability,” said Brian Nelson, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
The US alleges that Iran is supplying Russia with unmanned drones to use on civilians as Moscow continues its invasion of Ukraine, now in its second year. American defense officials have expressed concern over this and have warned that it would escalate tensions in the region.
Sanctions serve to deny the people and firms access to any property or financial assets held in the US and prevent American firms and companies from doing business with them. The latest move by the US comes amidst heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following months of anti-government protests in Iran, sparked by the death of a young woman in morality police custody.
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