U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Three Entities Over Iran's Military Procurement

WASHINGTON – The United States Department of State announced sanctions against three entities on September 29, 2026. These entities include one based in Iran and two based in Russia. The U.S. government states these entities are involved in facilitating Iran's military procurement and the transport of arms and related materials to and from Iran.

The U.S. government states these actions enforce renewed UN measures. Over the past year, the U.S. has issued dozens of new sanctions, convened representatives from 40 countries to discuss implementation, and submitted updated identifying information on sanctioned entities.

The U.S. government operates under "Operation Economic Outcast," which it states aims to disrupt the procurement efforts of Iran’s military programs. The operation also seeks to deny the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) access to assets and resources. The U.S. government designates the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Separately, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated ten entities and individuals. These individuals and entities have procured weapons and weapon components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), according to the U.S. Treasury.

All Department of State sanctions targets fall under Executive Order (E.O.) 13949, which addresses conventional arms activities of Iran.

**Designated Entities**

**JOINT STOCK COMPANY EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN BUREAU NAMED AFTER A.S. YAKOVLEV (YAKOVLEV)**, a Russia-based aircraft manufacturer, develops and produces the Yak-130 advanced trainer fighter jet. The U.S. government states Russia delivered several Yak-130 aircraft to Iran in late 2023. Additional equipment transfers occurred in November and December 2025. The U.S. government states these transfers took place aboard a U.S.-sanctioned Russian aircraft from a manufacturing facility associated with Yakovlev in Irkutsk, Russia. Russia has delivered nearly all of the reportedly 24 contracted Yak-130 aircraft to Iran, according to the U.S. government. Yakovlev received a previous designation under E.O. 14024 on May 19, 2023. The current designation under section 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 13949 addresses alleged material contributions or risks of material contributions to the proliferation of arms or related materials for military use by the Government of Iran or paramilitary organizations it supports.

**MG-FLOT LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (MG-FLOT)**, a Russia-based shipping company, transports weapons, according to the U.S. government. In 2024, the U.S. government states MG-Flot vessels were involved in the transfer of close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) from Iran to Russia. In late 2025, the U.S. government states Iran delivered air defense vehicles and related materials to Russia aboard the Russian roll-on roll-off motor vessel Kompozitor Rakhmaninov. This vessel is identified as blocked property of MG-Flot. MG-Flot was formerly known as TransMorFlot LLC, which received a designation under E.O. 14024 on May 8, 2022. The current designation under section 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 13949 addresses alleged material contributions or risks of material contributions to the proliferation of arms or related materials for military use by the Government of Iran or paramilitary organizations it supports.

**SAHA AIRLINES**, an Iran-based airline, is affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). The U.S. government states Saha Airlines has been involved in efforts to transport arms and related materials. Saha Airlines received a previous designation under E.O. 13902 on September 8, 2026. The current designation under section 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 13949 addresses alleged material contributions or risks of material contributions to the proliferation of arms or related materials for military use by the Government of Iran or paramilitary organizations it supports.

**Sanctions Implications**

These sanctions block all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons. They also apply to all entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons. Prohibited transactions include contributions of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person, and the receipt of such from any blocked person, unless authorized by a general or specific license from the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or exempt.

**Rewards for Justice Program**

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program offers a reward for information that disrupts the financial mechanisms of the IRGC. The program also seeks information on key leaders of the IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF). The U.S. government states the IRGC-ASF facilitates operations, develops weapons, and procures equipment for the IRGC's activities.

Individuals named in this context include: * **IRGC BRIGADIER GENERAL ABDOLLAH MEHRABI**, identified as chief of the IRGC-ASF Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (SSJO). The U.S. government states this organization is responsible for the analysis and development of weapons. Mehrabi has overseen advancements in military satellites and drone manufacturing, according to the U.S. government. As a co-owner of Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company, which manufactures engines for Iran’s Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 UAVs, the U.S. government states Mehrabi has acquired components for drone production. * **AHMED JA’FARABADI**, identified as a senior IRGC-ASF official. The U.S. government states he is involved in the organization’s operations and logistics. * **ALI ASGHAR NOROUZI**, identified as the chairman of the IRGC Cooperative Foundation. The U.S. government states this foundation serves as a funding source for the IRGC’s personnel and business interests. As a senior IRGC officer, the U.S. government states Norouzi has played a role in the transfer of funds and weapons to allied armed proxies in the Middle East.