The United States on Wednesday imposed fresh non-proliferation sanctions on seven individuals and entities across Iran, Russia, Italy and Nigeria for allegedly supporting weapons procurement on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to reports from Reuters, the action was announced by the US treasury department's office of foreign assets control (OFAC). The sanctions specifically target Iranian and Russian nationals, as well as entities based in Iran, Russia and Nigeria, as confirmed by the U.S. Treasury Department in its official statement. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, including recent hostilities over control of the Strait of Hormuz, and as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Iran through a series of sanctions measures.
The sanctions come after Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and are aimed at disrupting procurement and financial networks that Washington says sustain Iran's weapons programmes. As reported by Reuters, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the sanctions were part of the Trump administration's broader effort to deny Iran access to resources supporting its military activities. The latest action adds to previous sanctions in May against individuals and companies, including several in China and Hong Kong, over accusations of aiding Iran's weapons sector. In June, the U.S. imposed sanctions against 11 people and entities for helping weapons procurement by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian military, demonstrating an escalating pattern of pressure on Iran's weapons networks. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized that "President Trump has been clear that Iran must denuclearize," and Treasury will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran's weapons programs and war machine.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters. According to the Treasury Department, the sanctions target individuals and entities across multiple countries including Behrouz Namazi from Iran, who serves as general director of Tehran-based Nika Jet Company and is accused of seeking to procure weapons for the IRGC. Other entities include Nika Jet Company from Iran, Mariya Vladimirovna Selina from Russia who heads Moscow-based Avratek OOO, and Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin from Russia who is an Avratek employee. The network also includes Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited from Nigeria, which is accused of acting as an intermediary in weapons procurement efforts, and Dounia Ettaib from Italy who is alleged to be an participant in procurement activities linked to Namazi. As reported by Reuters, these targets "exemplify Iran's use of foreign aviation and transport firms, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to obscure the IRGC's role in illicit procurement and to move material and personnel globally."
The sanctions extend beyond Iran and Russia to include Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited from Nigeria, which is accused of acting as an intermediary in weapons procurement efforts. Additionally, Dounia Ettaib from Italy is alleged to be an participant in procurement activities linked to Namazi. As reported by Reuters, the Treasury emphasized that these actions target "an international network helping Iran procure weapons," highlighting the global scope of Iran's weapons procurement efforts. The latest sanctions represent part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to systematically target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran's weapons programs and war machine. OFAC is acting pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters, and the action advances National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which directs the U.S. government to deny the IRGC access to assets and resources that sustain its destabilizing activities.
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis, and financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
