The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on individuals and entities it said are part of an international network helping Iran acquire weapons. The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions targeted Iranian and Russian nationals, as well as entities based in Iran, Russia, and Nigeria.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, including recent disputes linked to the Strait of Hormuz, as the Trump administration continues to tighten pressure on Iran through a series of punitive measures.
The Treasury Department said in its statement that the sanctions imposed "reveal Iran's use of foreign aviation and transport companies, financial channels, and the employment of travel coordinators to conceal the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in illicit procurement operations and the transfer of materials and personnel around the world."
The Treasury Department said it added 4 individuals and 3 entities linked to Iran to its sanctions list. It said it designated Iranian national Behrouz Namazi and Russian national Maria Vladimirovna Selina, stating that both are connected to the Revolutionary Guard. It also said it imposed sanctions on an Italian national whom it described as being linked to Namazi. The sanctions additionally covered 3 companies in Russia, Iran, and Nigeria, as well as a Russian national the department said is connected to the Russia-based company.
These measures add to sanctions the United States imposed in May on individuals and companies, including entities in China and Hong Kong, on charges of aiding Iran's weapons sector. Washington also imposed sanctions in June on 11 individuals and entities it said had helped the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian military in purchasing weapons.