The United States has enforced sanctions on more than a dozen entities, eight individuals, and vessels involved in facilitating unlawful trade and the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on behalf of the Iranian military.
“The United States is today imposing sanctions on 16 entities and eight individuals, as well as identifying as blocked property five vessels and one aircraft, that have facilitated illicit trade and the sale of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in support of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and the regime’s UAV development and procurement,” the US State Department said in a release.
Furthermore, both the UK and Canada are implementing sanctions aimed at several entities and individuals engaged in Iran’s procurement of UAVs and other military-related activities, respectively.
Sahara Thunder has been identified as the primary front company for MODAFL’s illegal financing and a central entity in Iran’s design, development, manufacturing, and sale of numerous UAVs.
A significant portion of these designs and UAVs has subsequently been transferred to Russia for deployment in its conflict against Ukraine.
“The United States will continue to hold Iran accountable for its transfer of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to Russia and to regional proxies,” the statement added.
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson, said, “Iran’s Ministry of Defence continues to destabilise the region and world with its support to Russia’s war in Ukraine, unprecedented attack on Israel, and proliferation of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorist proxies.”
“The United States, in close coordination with our British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all means available to combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilising activities,” Nelson added.
Sahara Thunder has also been pivotal in facilitating the Iranian military’s UAV sales.
“MODAFL has cooperated with Russia to finance and produce Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs at the US-sanctioned Joint Stock Company Special Economic Zone of Industrial Production Alabuga (SEZ Alabuga) facility in Russia under a USD 1.75 billion contract,” the US Department of Treasury said.
By late 2022, Russian officials were in discussions for Sahara Thunder to supply and manufacture thousands of UAVs annually at its facility.
These UAVs have since been utilized by the Russian military in Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian sites, the statement elaborated.