US sanctions 13 countries, including Russian firms, for helping Iran buy weapons
Photo: Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, September 29, the US announced new sanctions against 13 individuals and entities, including those located in Russia, China, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. The reason is that they helped Iran purchase weapons and components, according to Reuters.
As Reuters reports, these sanctions, announced by the Treasury Department and the State Department, are part of the Trump administration's efforts to economically isolate Iran and force the country into negotiations to end the war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28.
"Treasury will not tolerate any support to the regime and will continue to identify, expose, and isolate Iran’s enablers" Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated.
The department also stated that the sanctions are aimed at weakening Tehran's ability to rebuild its arms development programs, as well as increasing costs for those who support Iran's procurement efforts.
Consequently, the new sanctions list includes:
- Seyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, a representative of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces Logistics Agency in Beijing. According to the US Treasury, he coordinated the purchase of ready-made weapons systems and dual-use components in China on behalf of Iran;
- The Iranian research group Kavoshcom Asia. It purchased electronics, including connectors, for the Iranian company Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company;
- EC Mojo Technology Co Limited from Hong Kong, which provided electronic components as part of Kavoshcom's procurement activities, and EC Mojo's Chinese representative, Li Feng;
- Waseem Pasha Tajammal, who resides in Pakistan and served as the head of Cavalier Group, a private defense company with branches in Pakistan and abroad;
- Joint Stock Company Experimental Design Bureau Named After A.S. Yakovlev, a Russian aircraft manufacturing enterprise;
- LLC "MG-Flot," a Russian shipping company whose vessels transport weapons for the Russian Ministry of Defense;
- Saha Airlines, an Iranian airline that is part of the country's air force.
What else is important to know
US President Donald Trump recently rejected Iran's peace plan. Instead, according to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told his inner circle that he expects to resume strikes after the elections.
According to Axios, the US is ready to ease sanctions against Iran and unfreeze the country's assets if Tehran takes steps regarding its nuclear program.
