In a decisive action to disrupt Iran’s military capabilities, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated five entities and one individual linked to Iran, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China for their involvement in procuring technology for the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA). HESA, a state-owned subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), is known for manufacturing military aircraft and the Ababil-series unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John K. Hurley, stated, “Iran continues to pursue the development of asymmetric weapons capabilities, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to carry out attacks on the United States, our servicemembers, and our partners and allies in the region. We will continue to put America first by disrupting Tehran’s ability to further its destabilizing agenda that undermines the stability of the region and threatens the safety of the American people.”
The designation, made under Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, reflects ongoing efforts to limit Iran’s military advancements. HESA has been under sanctions since its designation in 2008 for supporting the IRGC, which has been implicated in activities contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Highlighted in the announcement is Iran-based Control Afzar Tabriz Co Ltd, which, under the direction of CEO Javad Alizadeh Hoshyar, procured specialized computer numerical control (CNC) machinery for HESA. These machines are crucial for high-end aerospace and defense manufacturing. Control Afzar is linked to multiple other companies, including Hong Kong’s Clifton Trading Limited, Taiwan’s Mecatron Machinery Co Ltd, and Joemars Machinery and Electric Industrial Co Ltd, which facilitated the shipments to Iran while attempting to obscure their involvement.
As a result of this action, all assets and interests in the United States belonging to these designated entities and individuals are blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions involving them unless specifically licensed by OFAC. The ramifications of violating these sanctions can include severe civil or criminal penalties.
This move underscores the United States’ continued commitment to impeding Iran’s development of military technologies that threaten regional and global security, reinforcing the government’s stance on prioritizing national safety and international stability.
