TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Adds Individuals and Entities to Sanctions List for Iran-Related Proliferation Activities
BODY:
On May 8, 2026, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced designations targeting networks supplying weapons and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components to Iran. The action added multiple individuals and entities to OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, implementing sanctions under non-proliferation and Iran-related executive orders.
OFAC designated three individuals: Li Genping, a Chinese national based in Ningbo, Zhejiang; Mohammadmahdi Maleki, an Iranian national based in Belarus; and Mohammed Ali Tolibov, a Belarusian national. The authority also designated nine entities across multiple jurisdictions, including AE International Trade Co Limited (Hong Kong), Armory Alliance LLC (Belarus), Elite Energy FZCO (United Arab Emirates), Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited (China), HK Hesin Industry Co Limited (Hong Kong), Meentropy Technology Hangzhou Co Ltd (China), Mustad Limited (Hong Kong), The Earth Eye Co (China), and Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Limited (China). All designated individuals and entities are subject to secondary sanctions.
OFAC also updated existing SDN List entries for the Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation (an Iranian government entity), Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd (a Chinese entity now designated under Iran-related arms sanctions in addition to Russia-related sanctions), and the Ministry of Defence Export Center (an Iranian entity). These modifications expanded the aliases and identifying information associated with the designated parties.
All designated individuals and entities are subject to comprehensive asset freezes and transaction prohibitions under United States sanctions law. Financial institutions and other parties must comply with these designations immediately upon publication.