US sanctions Iran-linked military procurement network

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and entities in several jurisdictions over what it described as a network procuring weapons and weapons components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).

“Treasury will not tolerate any support to the regime and will continue to identify, expose, and isolate Iran’s enablers,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Targets of the sanctions

The department said MODAFL is responsible for weapons research, production and acquisition for Iran’s armed forces. It also oversees organisations involved in developing Iran’s ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Among those sanctioned was Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, whom the Treasury described as a MODAFL representative in Beijing.

According to the department, Tabatabai “coordinates the procurement of finished weapons systems and dual-use components in China on Iran’s behalf.”