The US on Friday imposed sanctions on the board of directors of Iranian company Paravar Pars due to Russia using drones produced by the firm to attack Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
“The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and delay these transfers and impose costs on actors engaged in this activity,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated eight senior executives at Paravar Pars, it said in a statement.
The drone maker was previously sanctioned by the US and the EU for making unmanned aerial vehicles for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.
“Iranian entities continue to produce UAVs for Iran's IRGC and military,” said Brian Nelson, the US Treasury's top sanctions official.
“More broadly, Iran is supplying UAVs for Russia's combat operations to target critical infrastructure in Ukraine.”
As a result of Friday's action, all of the sanction recipients' property and interests in property that are in the US or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to Ofac, Treasury said.
Ukraine capital Kyiv hit by kamikaze drones — in pictures
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Firefighters in action after a drone fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP -
A drone approaches for an attack in the Ukraine capital. AFP -
A police officer fires at a drone flying overhead. AFP -
Smoke rises from a building after a drone attack. AFP -
A Ukrainian serviceman takes cover as an air-raid siren sounds. Reuters -
Debris near the site of a drone attack. AFP -
Police stand guard as smoke rises from buildings. Reuters -
A drone in the sky seconds before it fired on buildings. AP -
Plumes of smoke rise after a Russian drone strike. Reuters
People that engage in transactions with those designated may themselves be exposed to sanctions, the department added.
“The Iranian regime’s military support for Russia helps fuel Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and has also resulted in violations of UN” resolutions, Mr Blinken said in his statement.
The US on Tuesday placed trade restrictions on seven Iranian entities for producing drones that Russia has used to attack Ukraine. The entities were added to an export control list for engaging in activities contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests.
Since Russia launched its war against Ukraine in February 2022, the US and more than 30 other countries have sought to degrade its military and defence industrial base.
Iran's mission to the UN in New York said on Tuesday: “Sanctions have no effect on Iran's drone production capacity because its drones are all produced domestically.
“This is a strong indication that the drones shot down in Ukraine and using parts made by western countries don't belong to Iran.”
Drones and weapons sent to Ukraine — in pictures
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Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP -
The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP -
Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP -
Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters -
FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army -
Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP -
The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA -
M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA -
Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA -
Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg -
Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA -
France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP -
Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters -
The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images -
Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP -
The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP -
Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images -
Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters
Reuters contributed to this report
