US Treasury targets facilitators of Iran’s missile, drone program

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Treasury Department said Tuesday that it has targeted facilitators for Iran’s missile and drone program.

Sanctions include those on five individuals and seven entities based in Iran, China and Hong Kong that have facilitated procurements on behalf of subordinates of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, it said in a statement.

"Iran’s reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones) risks further instability and endangers civilian lives, both in the region and around the world. Today’s action exposes additional key front companies and trusted agents through which Iran has sought to acquire these components," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

"The United States will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate Iran’s ability to produce these deadly weapons," he added.

The sanctioned individuals and entities procure various components, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which serve as key inputs to Iran's ballistic missile and UAV program, said the Treasury Department.