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The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on 10 people and firms from Iran and Venezuela tied to Iran’s drone and ballistic missile-related programs, as U.S. officials framed the measures as part of ongoing pressure on Iran’s weapons efforts.
Treasury said the latest designations are meant to support the reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, tightening financial and commercial constraints that the U.S. says are intended to curb Iran’s broader proliferation goals. The Treasury Department said Iran has faced longstanding U.S. assertions that its program threatens regional security even as Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.
In Tuesday’s sanctions list, Treasury included a Venezuelan firm and its chairman, accusing them of purchasing Iranian drones. Treasury also included three Iranian men it said were connected with efforts to procure chemicals used for ballistic missiles, according to the announcement.
Treasury further named an Iran-based group of people and firms tied to Rayan Fan Group, a holding company previously sanctioned by the U.S., the announcement said. U.S. officials said the designations reflect efforts to cut off support networks that can help Iran obtain inputs and equipment relevant to drone and ballistic missile capabilities.
The Treasury announcement quoted Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley saying, “Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world.” Hurley also said, “We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the U.S. financial system.”
U.S. officials tied the new sanctions to the broader effort that began after President Donald Trump moved in February to reimpose a “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran. Treasury said the approach aims to block development of nuclear weapons, and the U.S. said it included strikes on three critical Iranian enrichment facilities this summer following a week of open conflict between Israel and Iran.
This week, Trump also warned Iran that the U.S. could carry out further military strikes if the country attempts to reconstitute its nuclear program, as U.S. officials said he held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in the statement that Iran continues to violate UN restrictions, and he linked the sanctions environment to U.S. concerns about Iran’s military ties. Pigott said Iran’s “ongoing provision of conventional weapons to Caracas is a threat to U.S. interests in our region,” according to the report.