USA Expands Sanctions Against Suppliers of Weapons and Components for Drones and Missiles to Iran

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions against companies and individuals supplying weapons and military technology to Iran.

This was reported by the US Department of the Treasury through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The sanctions also target entities that facilitate the financial and logistical operations of these networks.

Both individuals and legal entities are subject to the restrictions. Washington accuses them of supplying technology, logistics, and financial support to Iran’s military-industrial complex.

Among the new companies added to the sanctions list is the Chinese firm Hitex Insulation (Ningbo) Co.,Ltd. It supplies carbon fiber, honeycomb fabric, and other raw materials for aerospace applications.

In addition to the company, Chinese citizen Li Genping, who represents the company and manages Hitex’s financial operations, has also been sanctioned.

Furthermore, the sanctions list has been expanded to include arms suppliers. At the center of the scheme is the Chinese company Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Limited, which Washington calls an intermediary for the Center for Progress and Development for Iran (CDPI). This entity is the new name for the Center for Innovation and Technological Cooperation (CITC), which the US added to the sanctions list back in 2012.

According to US authorities, the CITC coordinated the procurement of foreign military technology for Iran. In particular, the organization attempted to purchase man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) from China.

The financial side of the operations was handled by the Dubai-based company Elite Energy FZCO. It transferred millions of dollars to Hong Kong-based AE International Trade Co Limited to organize the procurement of weapons and equipment.

Hong Kong-based HK Hesin Industry Co Limited and Belarusian Armory Alliance LLC also participated in the scheme. According to OFAC, these entities acted as intermediaries to conceal the Iranian end-user of the weapons.

Iranian citizen Mohammadmahdi Maleki, who worked at the Belarusian company Armory Alliance LLC, played a distinct role in the network. US authorities claim that he directly helped organize purchases for Iranian entities.

The head of Armory Alliance LLC is identified as Belarusian citizen Mohammad Ali Tolibov. In the US, he is considered a long-time intermediary for Iran in the procurement of weapons on Belarusian territory. At the same time, OFAC imposed sanctions against the Hong Kong-based company Mustad Limited. According to US officials, the company facilitated financial transactions for arms purchases on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

As a reminder, back in April 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury announced the imposition of a package of sanctions against networks linked to Iran’s missile and drone programs.

In total, 14 individuals and entities, as well as aviation assets involved in the transport of weapons, were sanctioned. The entities are based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The sanctions also target the Iranian company Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company. It procured components for drones, including servo motors found in downed Shahed-136 drones. The list also includes individuals who provided financing and logistics for these shipments.

The Iranian Haj Qasem medium-range ballistic missile. Photo credits: Tehran Times

The restrictions also affected companies involved in supplying materials for the production of rocket fuel. In particular, sanctions were imposed on the Turkish company Emti Fiber Textile Import Export Trade Limited Company. It supplied raw materials for the production of nitrocellulose—a key component of solid rocket fuel.

In addition, the US expanded sanctions against the Iranian airline Mahan Air. Washington had previously accused it of transporting weapons and supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.