US Treasury Targets Iranian Missile and UAV Procurement Facilitators

WASHINGTON, U.S. Department of the TreasuryÂ's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting five individuals and seven entities based in Iran. The PeopleÂ's Republic of China (PRC), and Hong Kong have facilitated procurements on behalf of subordinates of IranÂ's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), according to a statement releaded by the department on Tuesday. Those designated today procure various components, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, which serve as key inputs to IranÂ's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. IranÂ's acquisition of critical missile and UAV components continues to enable its proliferation of weapons systems to its proxies in the Middle East and to Russia. "IranÂ's reckless proliferation of its ballistic missiles and UAVs risks further instability and endangers civilian lives, both in the region and around the world. TodayÂ's action exposes additional key front companies and trusted agents through which Iran has sought to acq uire these components," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States will continue to impose costs on those that facilitate IranÂ's ability to produce these deadly weapons." TodayÂ's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. The U.S. Department of State designated MODAFL pursuant to E.O. 13382 on October 25, 2007 in connection with IranÂ's ballistic missile program. Source: Kuwait News Agency