US Sanctions 10 Over Iran Weapons Procurement Network, Targets China, Pakistan, Turkey

The United States has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities across Iran, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for allegedly helping Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) procure weapons, electronics and other components linked to its ballistic missile and drone programmes.

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the measures on Tuesday under Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign launched by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in August to disrupt what Washington describes as the Iranian regime’s remaining economic lifelines.

“Under Operation Economic Outcast, the Treasury will continue to target and disrupt those who provide material, technological, or financial support” to Iran, Bessent said. The latest action was taken under Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

Among those sanctioned is Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, identified by the Treasury as a MODAFL representative based in Beijing who coordinates the procurement of finished weapons systems and dual-use components in China for Iran.

Treasury also designated Iran-based Kavoshcom Asia R and D Group, which it said procured electronic components, including connectors, for Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), a MODAFL subsidiary involved in developing drones and military aircraft. Kavoshcom was also accused of supplying electronics to Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, which is associated with Iran’s solid-fuel ballistic missile programme.

Kavoshcom director Ali Fotowat Ahmady and its representative Parisa Lali were also sanctioned. Hong Kong-based EC Mojo Technology Co Limited was targeted for supplying electronic components to support Kavoshcom’s procurement activities, while its representative Li Fen was accused by the Treasury of attempting to evade sanctions and export controls.

The second network centres on Pakistan-based businessman Waseem Pasha Tajammal, chairman of Cavalier Group. The Treasury said Tajammal and the company acted as third-party intermediaries for MODAFL, using his professional network to procure and distribute weapons on behalf of the Iranian ministry.

Tajammal was also identified as the majority shareholder and chief executive of Pakistan-based Cavalier Dynamics Private Limited. He serves as director of Saudi Arabia-based Cavalier Dynamics for Technologies Company, which is wholly owned by the Pakistani firm, and as director and sole shareholder of Turkey-based Cavalier Dynamics Teknoloji Ticaret Anonim Sirketi.

The US also sanctioned the three Cavalier Dynamics entities, saying they were owned or controlled by Tajammal or acted on his behalf. The Treasury said its action against the Saudi-based company was taken in coordination with Saudi government partners.

The sanctions block the designated parties’ property and interests in property within US jurisdiction or under the control of US persons. Entities that are 50 per cent or more owned, directly or indirectly, by blocked persons are also subject to the restrictions.