US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Drone Manufacturer for Supplying Russia with Drones Used in Attacks on Ukraine

In a move that highlights the growing tension between the US and Iran, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on six executives and board members of Iranian drone manufacturer Qods Aviation Industries. The company is accused of supplying Moscow with drones which were used to attack Ukraine.

This is not the first time that Qods Aviation Industries has faced sanctions from the US. In fact, the company is believed to have changed its name to Light Airplanes Design and Manufacturing Industries in mid-2020 in an attempt to evade previous sanctions. Qods Aviation Industries has a history of involvement in the design and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used to conduct strikes on civilians during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The latest sanctions also highlight allegations of deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran through shared military assistance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In November, Iran’s foreign minister acknowledged that his country had supplied Russia with drones, but claimed that the transfer took place before the war. However, the US administration has claimed that Iran sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia over the summer, and in turn, Russia is providing advanced military assistance to Iran, including air defense systems, helicopters, and fighter jets.

The financial penalties imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control serve as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the role that Iran and Russia have played in it. They also highlight the efforts of the US to use every tool at its disposal to disrupt and delay transfers of military assistance and impose costs on those involved in such activity. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and delay these transfers and impose costs on actors engaged in this activity.”