The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on over a 12 companies, individuals, and vessels that have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
These efforts, which support Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have been facilitated by Sahara Thunder, a main front company that oversees MODAFL’s commercial activities.
Iran’s Destabilizing Activities
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson stated, “Iran’s Ministry of Defense continues to destabilize the region and world with its support to Russia’s war in Ukraine, unprecedented attack on Israel, and proliferation of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorist proxies.” The United States, in close coordination with British and Canadian partners, remains committed to using all means available to combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilizing activities.
Legal Basis for Sanctions
Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority in Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, E.O. 13382, a counterproliferation authority, and E.O. 14024, which targets Russia’s harmful foreign activities. MODAFL was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on March 26, 2019, for providing support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Additionally, MODAFL was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 and E.O. 14024 on October 25, 2007, and February 23, 2024, respectively.
Sahara Thunder’s Role
Sahara Thunder, a subsidiary of MODAFL, oversees MODAFL’s commercial activities and has played a significant role in the Iranian military’s sale of UAVs. MODAFL has collaborated with Russia to finance and produce Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs at the U.S.-sanctioned Joint Stock Company Special Economic Zone of Industrial Production Alabuga (SEZ Alabuga) facility in Russia under a $1.75 billion contract.
Sahara Thunder, along with its officials, has been instrumental in facilitating these transactions. Kazem Mirzai Kondori, Hossein Bakshayesh, and Hojat Abdulahi Fard are among the officials of Sahara Thunder who have been designated for their roles in supporting MODAFL’s activities.
Global Shipping Network
Sahara Thunder relies on a vast shipping network involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities on behalf of MODAFL to multiple jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Venezuela.
- US Threatens Pakistan with Sanctions Over Iran Trade
- Iran Sanctions: Chronicle of events from 1979
- US Sanctions may cost Pakistan $18 Billion
Sanctioned 12 Companies
Several companies have been designated for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for Sahara Thunder.
Here are the names of the 12 companies that are sanctioned by USA
- Sahara Thunder
- Zen Shipping Port India Private Limited
- Safe Seas Ship Management FZE
- Arsang Safe Trading Co.
- Asia Marine Crown Agency
- Coral Trading EST.
- Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited
- Trans Gulf Agency LLC
- Onden General Trading FZE
- Saone Shipping Corporation
- Generation Trading FZE
- Bonyan Danesh Shargh Private Company
Sepehr Energy Shipment
Onden General Trading FZE, a UAE-based broker, sold Iranian commodities on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which plays a leading role in the commercial activities of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS).
The cargo, valued at several tens of millions of dollars, was loaded in the Persian Gulf aboard a vessel and received via a ship-to-ship transfer in mid-April in international waters near Singapore. Onden General Trading FZE and Saone Shipping Corporation, the operator and owner of the vessel LA PEARL, have been designated for their roles in facilitating this shipment.
Pouya Air’s Involvement
Pouya Air, an Iranian cargo airline, has been involved in the transshipment of Iranian military UAVs to Russia. The airline’s Ilyushin-76 aircraft has transported UAVs and UAV-related cargo from Iran to Russia on behalf of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Pouya Air has been designated for providing support to the IRGC Aerospace Force, while its aircraft has been identified as property in which Pouya Air has an interest.
UAV Procurement and Development
Bonyan Danesh Shargh Private Company (Bonyan Danesh Shargh) is an Iran-based company that produces UAVs, quadcopters, engines, and electronic and digital parts. The company has been involved in discussions regarding the Alabuga UAV facility in Russia on behalf of the IRGC Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO).
Abbas Abdi Asjerd, Seyed Mohsen Vahabzadeh Moghadam, Zahra Abdi Asjerd, Hamid Eidi Ashjerdi, and Mohammad Ali Moradipour are among the officials and entities designated for their involvement in Bonyan Danesh Shargh’s activities.
Sanctions Implications
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated 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. Additionally, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action.
