US Sanctions International Network Funding Iranian Weapons Programs

The United States Department of the Treasury imposed non-proliferation sanctions on Wednesday against seven individuals and entities in Iran, Russia, Italy, and Nigeria. The measures target an international procurement network that utilized aviation companies, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to secure weapons for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

These actions, taken under Executive Order 13382 as part of the broader Economic Fury campaign, follow recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The sanctions freeze all assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from conducting transactions with the designated parties. Key targets include Behrouz Namazi and the Nika Jet Company in Tehran, Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited in Nigeria, Dounia Ettaib in Italy, and Avratek OOO officials Mariya Vladimirovna Selina and Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin in Moscow.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the measures are designed to deny Iran the resources necessary for military activities and to disrupt the illicit networks funding its war machine. Bessent noted that these efforts align with the administration's broader strategy to force Iran to denuclearize and bring about a positive change in behavior.