The United States government announced new sanctions this Tuesday against a network of companies and individuals from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and China, accused of supplying components for military drones and missiles manufactured by the Iranian regime. The measure was announced by the Department of the Treasury in coordination with the Department of Justice.
According to the official statement, this network allegedly acquired engines, electronic components, and other materials for the Iranian state-owned company Qods Aviation Industries, a manufacturer of military drones. Supplies were also reportedly sent to two other Iranian defense sector companies: HESA, specializing in the production of aircraft and drones, and SBIG, responsible for developing ballistic missiles.
“Iran’s delivery of drones and missiles to armed groups in the Middle East and to Russia poses a direct threat to civilians, U.S. personnel, and our allies,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Among those sanctioned is the Iranian company Rah Roshd, accused of purchasing engines and electronic components for the Mohajer-6 military drone and selling materials worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the other Iranian military companies. Also sanctioned were two Iranian citizens: Hossein Akbari, director of Rah Roshd, and Reza Amidi, former commercial manager of both Rah Roshd and Qods Aviation. Both face charges in the United States for attempting to obtain U.S. technology for the production of Iranian drones. According to prosecutors, they remain at large and outside the country.
The investigation revealed that Infracom, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, acted as an intermediary in purchasing engines and facilitated relations with Zibo Shenbo, a Chinese component manufacturer that authorized Rah Roshd as its official distributor in Iran. Zibo Shenbo reportedly sent thousands of engines that, according to the U.S. government, ended up in Iran’s missile program.
Other sanctioned individuals include Abbas Yousefnejad, an employee of Rah Roshd responsible for purchasing electronic parts such as cables and motors, as well as three Emirati companies—Diamond Castle, Future Trends, and Phenomena International—accused of facilitating international payments within the network.
As a result of these sanctions, all assets and properties of those involved that are in the United States or held by U.S. citizens are frozen. Additionally, any company in which these individuals hold at least a 50% stake will also be blocked.
The Treasury Department warned that any person or company conducting transactions with those sanctioned, even outside the United States, could face legal consequences. Furthermore, exports or transfers of U.S. products to these individuals and entities are strictly prohibited.
Qods Aviation had already been sanctioned in 2013 for supporting Iran’s Ministry of Defense and its ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, an elite military force that the United States considers a terrorist organization. The other Iranian military companies involved have also been sanctioned in previous years.
The U.S. government stated that these sanctions aim to hinder Iran’s weapons development and prevent its drones and missiles from reaching conflicts such as the war in Ukraine or armed groups in the Middle East.
Authorities emphasized that this measure is part of a sustained strategy to disrupt Iran’s ability to produce and export drones and missiles, which is considered a direct threat to regional stability and international security.
Finally, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) clarified that its sanctions regime allows for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List if legal conditions are met. It stressed that the goal of these sanctions is not purely punitive but to induce a change in behavior among the involved actors.
