US Sanctions 10 Individuals, Entities In China, Hong Kong And Pakistan Over Iran Weapons Procurement

The United States has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities, including several based in China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, accusing them of helping Iran procure weapons and related components, the US Treasury Department said Tuesday.

The sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to economically isolate Iran and pressure Tehran to negotiate an end to the US-Iran war that began in February.

“Treasury will not tolerate any support to the regime and will continue to identify, expose, and isolate Iran’s enablers,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

According to the Treasury Department, the latest measures are intended to weaken Iran’s ability to rebuild its weapons programmes and increase the costs for individuals and entities involved in its procurement networks.

Who Was Sanctioned?

Among those targeted in Tuesday’s announcement were:

• Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, a Beijing-based representative of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics agency. Treasury said he coordinated the procurement of finished weapons systems and dual-use components in China on behalf of Iran.
• Kavoshcom Asia R&D Group, an Iran-based company that Treasury said procured electronic components, including connectors, for Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company.
• EC Mojo Technology Co. Limited, a Hong Kong-based company accused of supplying electronic components in support of Kavoshcom’s procurement activities.
• Li Fen, EC Mojo’s China-based representative, who was also included in the sanctions.
• Waseem Pasha Tajammal, a Pakistan-based individual who serves as chairman of Cavalier Group, a privately owned defence company with operations in Pakistan and internationally.

Criticism Of US Sanctions

Brett Erickson, managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisers, said the latest sanctions would have limited impact on Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones in the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is optics management for the Trump administration to claim ‘We’re hammering them,’ when the reality is we’re poking them with a toothpick,” Erickson said.

The latest measures underscore Washington’s continued focus on disrupting Iran’s international procurement networks as the conflict and tensions surrounding Tehran’s weapons capabilities continue.