US imposes sanctions on 6 Iranian targets over UAV

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has designated six Iranian targets – two entities and four individual over proliferation of Unmanned Aerial  Vehicles, UAV.

In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the six entities were designated using Executive Orders that address terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMD proliferation, adding that these targets are linked to Iran’s UAV activities, including activities that threaten U.S. interests.

He said the United States will use every appropriate tool to counter Iran’s malign influence and activities, including its proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), adding  that these targets are linked to Iran’s UAV activities, including activities that threaten U.S. interests.

The six targets are  Iran-based Kimia Part Sivan Company, Mohammad Ebrahim Zargar Tehrani, and Brigadier General Saeed Aghajani, all being designated under E.O. 13224 for their links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) UAV activities.

 While Iran-based Mado Company, Yousef Aboutalebi, and Chief Brigadier Gen. 2 Abdollah Mehrabi are all being designated under E.O. 13382 for their links to the IRGC and its affiliate units.

The IRGC, Blinken said has used and proliferated lethal UAVs to Iranian-supported groups, including attacks on U.S forces and on international shipping.

He said the United States will use all available tools, including sanctions, to prevent, deter, and dismantle the procurement networks that supply UAV-related material and technology to Iran, as well as the Iranian entities that engage in such proliferation.