The United States imposed sanctions on five individuals and seven entities located in Iran, Mainland China, and Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 30. The U.S. Treasury Department stated that they represent affiliate entities of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) involved in procuring key components for Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) projects.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department’s statement, the sanctioned entities have been procuring various components, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which are crucial equipment for Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV projects. Iran’s continued procurement of these critical components enables its weapons systems to spread to Iran’s Middle East proxies and Russia.
Brian E. Nelson, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, “Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV proliferation poses a reckless threat that could exacerbate instability in the region and worldwide, endangering civilian lives. Today’s actions expose more key front companies and trusted agents Iran is trying to turn to for procurement of these components. The U.S. will continue to hold accountable those who assist in producing these deadly weapons for Iran.”
The Treasury Department stated that Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Co., Ltd (Beijing SNTD) is a front company of MODAFL. The company represents end-users in Iran in purchasing electronic products and equipment. These end-users include the MODAFL subsidiary Iranian Electronics Industries Company (IEI), sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in June 2023.
Sayyed Ali Seraj Hashemi, an Iranian citizen, is an employee of Beijing SNTD responsible for coordinating the procurement of components such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. His work also involves closely coordinating with Iran’s procurement agent, Saeed Hamidi Javar.
Javar is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Buy Best Electronic Pars Company (BBEPC), a company supplying electronic components with a branch in China.
On Tuesday, the Treasury Department sanctioned Hashemi, Javar, and BBEPC associated with Beijing SNTD’s procurement network.
Electro Optic Sairan Industries Co (SAPA), headquartered in Iran, is a subsidiary of IEI, procuring military equipment and developing technology for MODAFL. SAPA was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in October 2023.
Mohammad Abdollahi, SAPA’s Business Manager and Procurement Officer, closely collaborated with Thomas Ho Ming Tong in Hong Kong, representing SAPA in the procurement of optical components. Both individuals were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday.
The sanctions also targeted Tong’s companies in Hong Kong and Mainland China, including Tas Technology Company Limited, Cloud Element Company Limited, Btw International Limited. Additionally, Bright Shore Inc Limited in Hong Kong, where Tong serves as an executive, was also sanctioned.
Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., specializing in inertial navigation and GPS integrated navigation systems, promotes its products in Iran, including products for drone applications, and was included in the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list.
The sanctioned entities also include Azmoon Pajohan Hesgar Limited Liability Company (APH), a testing equipment manufacturer in Iran, and APH’s Managing Director, Ezzatullah Ghasemian Sorbani.
Assets and interests in property held by the sanctioned individuals and entities within the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and required to be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Treasury Department.
Moreover, entities in which one or more of the sanctioned individuals directly or indirectly own 50% or more will also be subject to sanctions.