TITLE: U.S. Department of the Treasury Sanctions Global Network Procuring Weapons for Iranian Regime
BODY:
On July 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated seven individuals and entities involved in an international weapons procurement network supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The action follows Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and targets actors using foreign aviation and transport firms, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to obscure the IRGC's role in illicit procurement and move material and personnel globally.
The designated parties include Iranian national Behrouz Namazi, general director of Tehran-based Nika Jet Company, which provides services for aircraft parts and drone production, distribution, and maintenance. Nigeria-based Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited serves as an intermediary for Namazi's procurement efforts, while Milan-based Italian national Dounia Ettaib participates in weapons procurement activities. Russian nationals Mariya Vladimirovna Selina and Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin, both employees at Moscow-based aviation transportation company Avratek OOO, have coordinated procurement and travel activities. Selina heads Avratek's financial department and has supported procurement efforts on behalf of the IRGC, while Druzhbin has coordinated Iranian shipments.
OFAC acted pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters. The designations build on OFAC's May 8, 2026 and June 10, 2026 actions targeting procurement networks sourcing weapons including man-portable air-defense systems for the IRGC and Iran's Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation.
All property and interests in property of the designated persons in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting transactions involving blocked persons unless authorised by OFAC. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties. Secondary sanctions may apply to foreign financial institutions knowingly conducting transactions on behalf of designated persons.