US imposes sanctions on six companies supporting Iranian drone program

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on February 26, 2025, that it had imposed sanctions on six companies based in Hong Kong and China for their involvement in procuring drone components for Iran. 

According to the US Treasury Department, these companies were reportedly purchasing key parts on behalf of two Iranian entities, Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Bashra and its subsidiary, Narin Sepehr Mobin, both of which are already on the US sanctions list, Caliber.Az reports via international media.

Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Bashra and Narin Sepehr Mobin are major suppliers for Iran's drone and ballistic missile programs, the department says. These companies have been instrumental in the procurement and transport of essential components for the development of drones used in Iran's military operations.

The US sanctions aim to disrupt Iran's ongoing efforts to circumvent international sanctions and strengthen its drone program by acquiring critical components from foreign suppliers. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant stated, "Iran continues to seek new ways to acquire key components to improve its drone program through new front companies and third-country suppliers."

The sanctions are part of a broader "maximum pressure" campaign launched by US President Donald Trump, which seeks to halt Iran's efforts to expand its military capabilities. The US government remains committed to blocking any attempts to send lethal weapons from Iran to support its proxy groups and destabilizing activities in the region.

Previously, OFAC had imposed sanctions on a network of Hong Kong-based companies involved in supplying sensitive Western materials and technology to Iran’s drone and missile programs. Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Bashra was first sanctioned in August 2019 due to its links to Hamed Dehghan, an individual sanctioned for facilitating the purchase of military electronics for Rasta Fun Engineering, another Iranian company involved in the defence sector.

The US Treasury Department has underscored that the sanctions are part of its broader effort to combat Iran’s military expansion, particularly its drone program, which has been a key tool in Iran’s geopolitical influence and support of regional militias.

By Tamilla Hasanova