Washington targets Iran-China missile material network in new sanctions

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on six entities and six individuals based in Iran and China for their involvement in a procurement network supplying ballistic missile propellant components to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The sanctions target efforts to acquire sodium perchlorate and dioctyl sebacate—key chemicals used in the production of solid rocket propellants—underscoring the IRGC’s continued pursuit of missile technology in defiance of international controls, Caliber.Az reports citing the US Department of the Treasury.

Sodium perchlorate is a precursor to ammonium perchlorate, a substance controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a multilateral framework designed to curb the proliferation of missile technologies. Both sodium perchlorate and dioctyl sebacate are essential in solid propellant rocket motors, which are commonly used in ballistic missile systems.

“Iran’s aggressive development of missiles and other weapons capabilities imperils the safety of the United States and our partners,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

“It also destabilizes the Middle East, and violates the global agreements intended to prevent the proliferation of these technologies. To achieve peace through strength, Treasury will continue to take all available measures to deprive Iran’s access to resources necessary to advance its missile program.”

The designations were made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. This action also aligns with National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which calls for intensifying efforts to impede Iran’s ballistic missile activities, including working with allies on reimposing UN sanctions and disrupting the IRGC.

As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities that fall under US jurisdiction are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these individuals or entities, unless specifically authorized.

The Treasury emphasized that the objective of these sanctions is not punishment, but to incentivize behavioral change. OFAC maintains that its sanctions can be lifted when individuals or entities demonstrate compliance with international norms.

By Vafa Guliyeva