U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN
March 9, 2023
United States Imposes Sanctions on a Network Supporting Iran’s Aircraft Procurement and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Activities
The United States is designating five entities and one individual based in the People’s Republic of China for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
This network is responsible for the sale and shipment of thousands of components, including those used in Shahed-series UAVs, to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), which was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 in September 2008 for being owned or controlled by Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Those designated today facilitated transactions for components for fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and UAV applications. These include light aircraft engines used in Iran’s Shahed series UAV being used by Russia’s forces to target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and kill civilians.
Iran’s UAV activities continue to destabilize the Middle East region and prolong Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt these efforts and work with Allies and partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions.
For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.
