US announces sanctions against 13 targets across Iran, China and Belarus over weapons procurement network

The United States on Wednesday, June 10, imposed sanctions against 13 individuals and entities based in Iran, China, Hong Kong and Belarus, accusing them of helping procure weapons for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).According to the US State Department, the targeted individuals and organisations allegedly sought to source and acquire weapons on behalf of the IRGC, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).

The latest measures follow a similar round of sanctions announced by the US in May targeting networks linked to Iran’s military procurement operations. The sanctions are part of Washington’s broader effort to disrupt procurement networks that support Iran’s military capabilities, degrading its ability to further its military actions in the area.
According to the US Treasury Department, nine of those sanctioned are based in China and Hong Kong and allegedly facilitated procurement activities for Iran’s for the IRGC and MODAFL.The measures also target a Hong Kong-based company that Washington alleges was involved in Iran’s clandestine banking network and attempted to facilitate transactions linked to weapons procurement.

Meanwhile, four individuals and entities based in Iran and Belarus were sanctioned for procuring arms and military-related equipment for Iran.

The move comes amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme.

According to a statement by State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott, the action is consistent with existing UN restrictions on Iran’s arms procurement activities.

“Today’s action supports the implementation of United Nations (UN) sanctions and restrictive measures on Iran, reimposed as a direct result of Iran’s “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments,” the statement read.

The statement mentioned that UN Security Council resolution 1929 mandates UN Member States to prohibit the supply, sale or transfer of conventional weapons such as MANPADS to Iran.

The Trump administration said it remains committed to maintaining pressure on Iran and preventing the government and the IRGC from obtaining resources that could support their destabilizing activities.

In a statement, the State Department said the US would continue using tools to “expose, disrupt, and counter Iran’s destabilizing activities and to stop Iran from efforts to reconstitute its proliferation-sensitive programmes.”

The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive orders that allow the US government to target entities involved in Iran’s conventional arms activities, weapons proliferation efforts and Iran’s financial sector.