The Department of State has announced new sanctions to further constrain Iran's destabilizing activities, including its transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. This development marks a significant escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war against Ukraine. The expanding military partnership between Iran and Russia poses a threat to European security and highlights Iran's influence beyond the Middle East.
A spokesperson from the Department stated, "The United States will continue to use all tools at our disposal to disrupt and counter Iran’s weapons exports, with particular attention to transfers that support Russia’s war against Ukraine." These latest sanctions build on previous designations of entities and individuals facilitating Iran-Russia cooperation made in February 2024, October 2023, May 2023, and December 2022.
The Department has designated IRAN AIR under section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13949 for materially contributing to the supply or transfer of arms or related materiel benefiting Iran. According to officials, Iranian proliferators use IRAN AIR to procure sensitive western-origin goods on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its Qods Force (QF). IRAN AIR has transported proliferation-sensitive materiel for the IRGC QF unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) program on numerous occasions.
Additionally, two Russia-based shipping companies have been designated under section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024 for operating in the marine sector of the Russian Federation economy. VAFA WHOLESALE LTD owns vessels that have transported Iranian UAV-related equipment from Iran to Russia via the Caspian Sea. The identified vessels include VAFA (IMO 8422670) and VAFA-1 (IMO 8422682).
SEA RIVER SERVICE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY owns vessels that have transported munitions from Iran to Russia via the Caspian Sea for use against Ukraine. The identified vessels include OMSKIY-103 (IMO 8889385), which transported munitions in February 2024; OMSKIY-119 (IMO 8926913); and ZAKAMSK (IMO 8951413).
As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Transactions by U.S. persons involving any property or interests in property of designated individuals are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC.
Furthermore, entry into the United States is suspended for designated individuals pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8693.
Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals List may be sent to OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov. Petitioners can also refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.
