U.S. imposes sanctions on 13 individuals and entities for helping Iran

The U.S. government announced new sanctions on Tuesday against 13 individuals and entities, including some based in Russia, China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, saying they helped Iran obtain weapons and components.

The sanctions announced by the Treasury and the State Department are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to economically isolate Iran and force it to negotiate an end to the war that began with a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury would not tolerate any support for the regime and would continue to identify, expose and isolate those who enabled Iran.

The Treasury added that the sanctions were aimed at degrading Tehran’s ability to rebuild its weapons programmes, while raising the costs for those who supported its procurement efforts.

Those sanctioned include:

Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, a Beijing-based representative of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Agency, who the Treasury said had coordinated the procurement in China of finished weapons systems and dual-use components on behalf of Iran.

The Iran-based Kavoshcom Asia R and D Group, which the Treasury said had purchased electronic equipment, including connectors, for Iran’s Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company.

Hong Kong-based EC Mojo Technology Co Limited, which the Treasury said had provided electronic components in support of Kavoshcom’s procurement efforts, and EC Mojo’s China-based representative, Li Fen.

Pakistan-based Waseem Pasha Tajammal, who serves as chairman of Cavalier Group, a private defence company with locations in Pakistan and internationally.

The Joint Stock Company Experimental Design Bureau named after A.S. Yakovlev, a Russia-based aircraft manufacturer.

MG-Flot LLC, a Russia-based shipping company whose vessels transport weapons for the Russian government.

Saha Airlines, an Iran-based airline linked to the country’s air force.

Brett Erickson, a principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, said the latest sanctions would not do much to hinder Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones in the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is optical management for the Trump administration to claim ‘We’re hammering them,’ when the reality is we’re poking them with a toothpick,” he said.