The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated five individuals and seven entities based in Iran, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Hong Kong for facilitating procurements on behalf of subordinates of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). These designations involve components such as accelerometers and gyroscopes essential to Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.
“Iran’s reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs 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,” stated 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.”
This action is pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery means. The U.S. Department of State designated MODAFL under E.O. 13382 on October 25, 2007, in connection with Iran's ballistic missile program.
Beijing Shiny Nights Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Beijing SNTD), a PRC-based company acting as a MODAFL front, was previously designated by OFAC in June 2023 for its procurement activities on behalf of Iranian end users like MODAFL subsidiary Iran Electronic Industries (IEI). Sayyed Ali Seraj Hashemi, an employee coordinating Beijing SNTD's efforts from both Iran and PRC, is also being designated alongside Saeed Hamidi Javar, who facilitates procurement for Beijing SNTD through Buy Best Electronic Pars Company (BBEPC).
Electro Optic Sairan Industries Co (SAPA), another entity based in Iran, procures military equipment for MODAFL while contributing to Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center's UAV development used by Russian forces in Ukraine. Mohammad Abdollahi from SAPA collaborates with Hong Kong-based Thomas Ho Ming Tong using companies like Tas Technology Company Limited, Cloud Element Company Limited, Btw International Limited, and Bright Shore Inc Limited.
Iran-based Azmoon Pajohan Hesgar Limited Liability Company (APH) manufactures test equipment related to sensor navigation systems for MODAFL subordinate organizations like Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG). Managing director Ezzatullah Ghasemian Sorbani oversees APH's procurement activities.
Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC-based technology company added to the Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List by the U.S. Department of Commerce in December 2021 for supplying items supporting MODAFL front company Beijing SNTD, is also being designated.
All property interests belonging to these individuals or entities within U.S jurisdiction are blocked following this designation. Transactions involving these persons are generally prohibited unless authorized by OFAC or exempted under specific licenses.
Sanctions aim not just at punishment but at inducing positive behavioral changes. Information regarding removal from OFAC lists can be found through OFAC's resources.
