U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Global Network Supporting Iran's Military

Why it matters locally: While the U.S. Treasury Department, located in Washington, D.C., is the issuing authority for these sanctions, the direct economic or social impact on the District's residents or industries is not immediately apparent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions against a network of individuals and entities across multiple countries. The department stated these individuals and firms facilitate the acquisition of components for Iran's military production, specifically linking them to Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and its associated organizations. On Thursday, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified 11 individuals and entities in Iran, Turkey, Oman, and China. OFAC stated these actions target financial facilitators and procurement agents involved in Iran's military supply chain. The department connected some of these entities to Parchin Chemical Industries, a MODAFL subsidiary. The U.S. government maintains that these newly sanctioned entities have facilitated financial transactions and procured components for MODAFL. OFAC specifically named Hamed Dehghan, an Iranian national, as a central figure. The department stated Dehghan and his companies, including his Iran-based company Technostar Company, procure carbon fiber, resins, and other materials. OFAC stated Technostar then delivers these materials to MODAFL subsidiaries, including Parchin Chemical Industries. Additionally, OFAC identified Dehghan as utilizing a Turkey-based front company, Asre Sanat Eshragh Company, and its managing director, Sait Albayrak, to facilitate transactions and procurements. The department stated Dehghan also worked with China-based companies, including Guilin Alpha Rubber & Plastics Technology Co. Ltd. and its director, Zhou Zongliang, and China's Black Gold International PTE (Black Gold). OFAC stated these companies supplied materials to Technostar. The department also named Black Gold's Oman-based managing director, Mohamed Shafiq, and Oman-based International Smart Logistics LLC. OFAC stated these entities helped transfer funds and goods. OFAC stated this network enabled the procurement of materials for various Iranian military programs, including ballistic missiles and drones. The department further noted that these entities facilitated millions of dollars in transactions and shipped goods totaling tens of millions of dollars.