The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Department of Justice, announced a new round of sanctions against an international network linked to Iran’s drone program. This network includes six entities, and two individuals based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and China, all involved in supplying components for Iran’s drone industry.
According to U.S. officials, this network operated in support of Qods Aviation Industries, one of Iran’s primary military drone manufacturers. It also played a role in supplying equipment to other entities affiliated with Iran’s military-industrial complex, including the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company (HESA) and Bagheri Industrial Group.
The U.S. Department of Justice also announced that an indictment has been issued in the Eastern District of New York against Hossein Akbari (63) and Reza Amidi (62), both Iranian nationals, as well as an Iranian company named Rah Roshd.
According to the indictment, they are accused of attempting to provide material support to the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and participating in a scheme to transfer U.S. technology for use in Iran’s attack drones. Akbari and Omidi remain fugitives and are currently at large.
History of Drone-Related Sanctions
Russia’s extensive use of Iranian drones in its invasion of Ukraine has drawn global attention to this aspect of Iran’s weapons program.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has published a comprehensive guide on Iran’s drone industry, identifying 13 customs tariff codes for components that could be used in drone manufacturing.
However, Iran continues to import essential drone components on a large scale through private companies.
History of Drone-Related Sanctions Against Iran
In November 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned 10 entities and four individuals based in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia for supporting Iran’s drone production program. Among those sanctioned were Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, chairman of Kavan Electronic Behrad Company, and the Saman Industrial Group, affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Defense.
In March 2024, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 16 individuals and two additional entities involved in facilitating Iran’s drone production. The U.S. Treasury stated that the sanctioned individuals were acting on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) in collaboration with drone manufacturers.
In April 2024, following Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, the United Kingdom announced sanctions against Iran’s military drone industry. The U.S. and Canada also imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s Ministry of Defense’s drone production sector.
In October 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned two individuals and two entities for their involvement in the development and supply of critical navigation systems for Iran. Additionally, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on the deputy commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force and two Iranian entities for supporting Tehran’s ballistic missile and drone development programs.
The most recent sanctions prior to the latest round came on February 27, 2025, when the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned six entities based in Hong Kong and China for their role in purchasing and supplying key drone components to Iran.
In its statement, the Treasury Department emphasized that this action was part of Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure campaign” against the Iranian regime.
