US sanctions entities, individuals linked to Iran’s UAV proliferation to Venezuela, weapons programs
The United States has imposed sanctions on ten entities and individuals based in Iran and Venezuela. These designations, according to a statement by Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, State Department, include a Venezuelan company that has contributed to the sale of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian designed combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and entities and individuals linked to procurement networks that have supported Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs.
Iran’s ongoing provision of conventional weapons to Caracas, the statement, titled “Disrupting Iran’s UAV Proliferation to Venezuela and Iran’s Weapons Programs,” said, “is a threat to U.S. interests in our region.”
It said further that the action of the US government highlights the importance of the re-imposition of sanctions and other restrictions on Iran pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions. It stressed that entities and individuals designated demonstrate that “Iran is actively proliferating its combat UAVs and continues to procure missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions.
“As President Trump has made clear in National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), the United States will take action to curtail Iran’s ballistic missile program, counter Iran’s development of other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities, deny Iran a nuclear weapon, and deny the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) access to assets and resources that sustain their destabilizing activities. We will not hesitate to hold accountable anyone who supports Tehran’s proliferation activities.”
The noted that the “Department of Treasury actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters, and E.O. 13949, which targets property of certain persons with respect to the conventional arms activities of Iran.”
