The US Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 38 individuals and companies from Iran and China it accused of advancing Iran’s military procurement including surface-to-air missiles and US-manufactured helicopter parts.
The sanctions, the Treasury said in a statement, focus on networks that facilitate the transfer of sensitive goods and technology to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we will deny the regime weapons it would use to further its malign objectives,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The Treasury also reminded UN member states that UN sanctions on Iran were reimposed as of September 28 and must be enforced.
These measures include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear, missile and arms programs, embargoes, export controls, travel bans, asset freezes and prohibitions on entities like banks involved in Iran’s weapons activities.
Sanctioned Iranian entities include Abzar-e Daghigh-e Taha Company, Beh Joule Pars Commercial Engineering Company and Business United Unipessoal Lda, which is tied to Pasargad Helicopter Company.
Several Chinese-based firms such as Westcom Technology Co Limited, UIY Inc, Rocket PCB Solution Ltd, and Rayming Technology were also designated.
The list further names Iranian individuals such as Mehdi Shirazi Shayesteh and Mehdi Nili Ahmadabadi, along with Chinese nationals Liu Baojuan and Sun Zhaola.
The new designations come as part of Washington’s broader effort to enforce the return of UN sanctions reactivated by European powers in response to what they say is Tehran's defiance of negotiations and nuclear inspections.
Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb and has rejected sanctions and curbs on its conventional weapons as illegal violations of its sovereignty.
US officials argue that tightening sanctions is essential to block Tehran from acquiring advanced technologies that could bolster both its firepower and potential nuclear capabilities.
