EU sanctions Iranian defense minister, Quds commander over drone transfers to Russia

The European Union adopted restrictive measures Friday against six Iranians and three Iranian entities for their involvement in transferring drone technologies to Russia, and the United States announced additional sanctions, blacklisting four Iranian companies that it said had procured parts for Iran's drone program.

The six EU-sanctioned individuals are Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, defense minister; Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters; Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, chair of Kavan-Electronics-Behrad; Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi, CEO of Kavan-Electronics-Behrad; Ismail Qaani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force; and Afshin Khaji Fard, head of the Iranian Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). 

The three groups sanctioned by the EU are the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates between the Iranian military and the IRGC; the Iran-based company Kavan-Electronics-Behrad, which procures and sells drone parts; and the IRGC Navy.

The European Council issued a release stating, "Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed is prohibited."

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Friday its targeting of four entities associated with the previously OFAC-designated Rayan Roshd Afzar Company that have procured critical parts for Iran’s drone program. In addition, like the EU, OFAC has also targeted IAIO head Afshin Khaji Fard. Defense Minister Gharaei Ashtian, sanctioned by the EU on Friday, was blacklisted last month by the United Kingdom as well as by the United States. 

Friday’s decision by the EU follows several decisions in the last few months surrounding Iranian drones used by the Russian military.  

In September, the EU broadened its scrutiny beyond Iranian individuals and companies involved in the production of reconnaissance and attack drones to encompass international companies and nations indirectly supplying components for Iran's drone manufacturing.  

That decision was reinforced on March 22, when the European Council declared, "Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling this circumvention." The council stated at that time that it would continue to work closely with regional and international partners to prevent further regional escalation, notably in Lebanon and the Red Sea region. 

Then, on May 14, the EU expanded sanctions targeting Iran’s military support for Russia to include the production and transfer of both drones and missiles. These sanctions included all Iranian transfers to Russia and to the Middle East.