class="article-meta doctype-meta">Press Statement
The United States is imposing sanctions today on a network of 10 entities and four individuals based in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong (PRC), and Indonesia, led by Iran-based Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, for facilitating Iran's procurement of sensitive goods, including U.S.-origin electronic components, for one-way attack UAVs produced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization.
The United States is committed to utilizing all available means to expose and disrupt Iran's growing UAV development and proliferation, which destabilizes the Middle East and could prolong Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. The United States will continue to work with allies and partners to hold individuals and entities accountable for supporting Iran's UAV programs. Today's designations follow previous U.S. designations of individuals and entities linked to the production of Iran's Shahed-series UAV that the Russian military uses against Ukraine.
Concurrent with OFAC's action and following a multi-year investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Justice announced the unsealing of indictments charging Hossein Hatefi Ardakani and Gary Lam with crimes related to an illicit procurement network and scheme to unlawfully export U.S.-origin, dual-use, and sensitive technology to Iran. HSI's global investigation identified a network of Iranian intermediary companies, front companies, and logistics businesses used to procure and facilitate the transfer of sensitive U.S.- and foreign-origin technology to Iran for its weapons programs. On October 18, 2023, OFAC designated Gary Lam, whose primary name is Lin Jinghe, for his support to an Iran-based procurement agent working on behalf of the IRGC-owned Saberin Kish Company.
