The United States designated seven individuals involved in the design and production of Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and oversight of Iran’s ballistic missile programs.
The individuals from Qods Aviation Industries Aerospace Industries Organization, the foremost organization responsible for overseeing Iran's ballistic missile programs, were designated by the State Department, according to a Jan. 6 news release.
“Iran is fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine with its provision of UAV technology. Today, the United States sanctioned seven people involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs – programs Moscow is using to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter..
Iran has become Russia's top military backer, according to the release. Iranian support for Russia violates UN Security Council resolution 2231, a resolution enforcing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program.
During remarks at a UN Security Council briefing Dec. 19, 2022, the UN said this is not the first time Iran has violated UN Security Council resolution 2231.
“Given Iran’s increasing integration into Russia’s defense sector, we fear additional violations in the future. Russia may even be tempted to further violate Resolution 2231 by importing complete ballistic missiles from Iran," Ambassador Robert Wood, the alternate representative for Special Political Affairs, said, according to the remarks.
Blinken said Iran must stop supporting Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, according to the State Department release. He said the U.S. will continue to use every tool available to disrupt and delay these transfers and make it costly for those engaged in this activity.
