US sanctions 4 entities linked to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle program

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Treasury Department announced Friday it imposed sanctions on four entities associated with Rayan Roshd Afzar Company (RRA) that have procured critical parts for Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program.

In addition, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting an Iranian executive of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics that oversees UAV manufacturers Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company and Qods Aviation Industries.

"Iran-based Afshin Khajeh Fard is the chief of IAIO," the Treasury said in a statement. "In this role, Khajeh Fard oversees IAIO’s efforts to produce UAVs and missiles, and he has touted Iran’s innovation with respect to its UAV program and its reduced reliance on foreign suppliers."

OFAC had designated RRA and its affiliates in July 2017, in connection with proliferation activities related to Iran’s military, according to the statement.

"Today’s action reinforces our commitment to disrupt Iran’s production and proliferation of deadly UAVs that continue to be used by Russia against Ukraine and by regional terrorist proxies against our troops," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.