US Treasury sanctions Iran weapons-procurement network spanning China, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Russia

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WASHINGTON — The United States announced fresh sanctions on Tuesday against individuals and entities accused of helping Iran's Ministry of Defense procure weapons and military components, the US Treasury Department said.

Treasury designated 10 individuals and entities based in Iran, China, Hong Kong and Pakistan. The State Department announced additional related designations the same day, bringing the combined total to 13, according to Reuters reporting.

Among those targeted: Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, described as a Beijing-based representative of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics who coordinated the procurement of finished weapons systems and dual-use components in China; Iran-based Kavoshcom Asia R and D Group, accused of procuring electronics for the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company; Hong Kong-based EC Mojo Technology Co Limited and its China-based representative Li Fen, accused of supplying electronic components in support of Kavoshcom; Pakistan-based Waseem Pasha Tajammal, chairman of the privately owned defense firm Cavalier Group; and Russia-based entities including the Yakovlev Experimental Design Bureau and shipping company MG-Flot LLC.

"Under Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury will continue to target and disrupt those who provide material, technological, or financial support that allows the Iranian regime to sustain its terrorist enterprise," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Treasury will not tolerate any support to the regime and will continue to identify, expose, and isolate Iran's enablers."

Treasury said the measures aim to degrade Tehran's ability to reconstitute its weapons programs while raising costs for those supporting its procurement networks. The move is part of the Trump administration's broader campaign to isolate Iran economically and pressure it to negotiate an end to the US-Iran war that began in February.