US imposes sanctions on network supporting Iran’s drone, military programmes

THE US on Wednesday (Apr 19) imposed sanctions on a procurement network it accused of supporting Iran’s drone and military programmes, targeting companies and suppliers in China, Iran and elsewhere in the fresh action aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said it imposed sanctions on the head of Iran’s Pardazan System Namad Arman (Pasna), which was already under US sanctions, and the entity’s front companies and suppliers in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong and China that Washington said have enabled Pasna’s procurement of goods and technology.

“The network sanctioned today has procured goods and technology for the Iranian government and its defence industry and UAV programme,” the Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.

“Treasury will continue to enforce its sanctions against Iran’s military procurement efforts that contribute to regional insecurity and global instability.” REUTERS