The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, sanctions against six entities based in Hong Kong and China. These companies, according to the Treasury, played key roles in procuring parts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Iranian regime.
The Treasury's statement highlighted these firms acting on behalf of the Iranian company Pejoheshgaran Kaveh Bashar and its subsidiary, Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis, both of which are already under U.S. sanctions. The Treasury claimed these companies function as front organizations, facilitating the purchase and transfer of key UAV components required by Iran.
The sanctions represent the continuation of former President Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran, which aims to disrupt Iran's ability to rebuild its supply chain for UAV components, severely necessary for its military ambitions. Scott Husent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated, 'Iran continues to seek new ways to acquire the key components needed to bolster its UAV arsenal through new shell companies and suppliers from third countries.'
The recent sanctions build on earlier actions taken by the Treasury, which had previously sanctioned networks of companies also based in Hong Kong. These previous sanctions were aimed at firms supplying sensitive Western technology to Iran’s drone and missile programs. The Treasury reiterated its commitment to undermining Iranian efforts to obtain any military technology.
According to the statement, the sanctions are enforced under executive orders aimed at obstructing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. Notably, the Treasury also referred to previous sanctions against Pejoheshgaran Kaveh Bashar, linking it to the leadership by Hamed Dehghan, who had facilitated purchases of military electronic equipment.
These recent measures come on the heels of the U.S. State Department's announcement earlier this week about sanctioning 16 entities and vessels within Iran’s oil and petrochemical sector, underscoring the U.S. government’s extensive efforts to limit Iran's oil revenues and finances tied to its military activities.
While the U.S. intensifies its scrutiny and sanctions against Iranian military procurement channels, Secretary Husent emphasized the urgency of disrupting Iran's capabilities to deliver lethal weapons to its proxy groups. He stated, 'The U.S. is committed to creating disruptions in any plans allowing Iran to send its deadly arms abroad.'
The increasing sanctions have led to rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the Iranian government repeatedly rejecting U.S. allegations of supporting terrorism. Iranian officials have stated there are no proxies and have condemned the U.S. for its hostile actions.
Reflecting on Iran’s historical resistance to U.S. policies, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi mentioned, 'Our position is clear; we will not negotiate under pressure, threats, or sanctions.' He echoed sentiments from various Iranian leaders who imply the impossibility of any dialogue as long as the U.S. continues its 'maximum pressure' campaign.
The sanctions enacted today join various other measures targeting Iran’s military and energy sectors and reflect the U.S. government's unified strategy against Tehran's perceived threats. Just last week, comments from former President Trump expressed hope for new talks with Iran concerning their nuclear program, indicating the administration's contradictory approach between seeking negotiations and imposing stringent sanctions.
Since withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the U.S. government has reaffirmed its stance on ensuring Iran cannot obtain weapons of mass destruction or the technology necessary for nuclear proliferation.
Trump mentioned, 'I hope we can establish a peaceful and beneficial agreement with Iran,' which was counterbalanced by his administration's immediate reinforcement of sanctions targeting Iran's oil and military supplies.
The engagement of the U.S. government, particularly the Treasury and its aggressive sanctions strategy, has highlighted the challenges presented by Iran's resilience and continued defiance against U.S. policies. Looking forward, both nations must navigate the complex interplay of diplomacy and sanctions, all the more pressing as each administration has exhibited starkly different approaches to potential negotiations with Iran, underlining the instability of international relations surrounding nuclear discussions.