US Imposes Sanctions on Four Iranian Companies in Response to IRGC Attack on Erbil and Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia and UAE

The US Department of Treasury sanctioned an Iranian individual named “Mohammad Ali Hosseini” and four companies affiliated with him, including “Jestar Sanaat Delijan,” “Pars Bina Sad Industrial Construction Company,” “Sayeban Sepehr Delijan,” and “Sina Composite Delijan,” due to their participation in procuring Iran’s missile program and cooperation with the IRGC’s Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization and Iran’s Defense Industries Organization.

According to the statement, companies belonging to Mr. Hosseini cooperate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Parchin Chemical Industries in the production of ballistic missile propellants. Parchin Chemical Industries operates under Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, which is subordinate to Iran’s Ministry of Defense.

The US State Department also sanctioned the IRGC’s Research and Self-Sufficiency Organization in June 2017 due to its significant role in the research and development of ballistic missiles.

The IRGC’s Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization is one of the most important institutions involved in Iran’s missile program. In November 2011, Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, head of the IRGC’s Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization and one of the founders of the IRGC’s missile program, was killed.

In September of this year, reports were published about a severe explosion at one of the organization’s affiliated centers and the death of two IRGC members, which IRGC officials have yet to explain.

In its statement today, the US Department of Treasury also emphasized that the decision to impose these sanctions was made in response to the recent missile attacks by the IRGC on Erbil, missile attacks by Houthi militants on Saudi Arabia and UAE oil facilities.

Brian Nelson, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, stressed that despite ongoing JCPOA negotiations, “the United States will not hesitate in targeting individuals and entities that support Iran’s missile programs.”

He described this decision as a reaffirmation of the United States’ commitment to preventing “Iran’s acquisition of advanced ballistic missiles” and cooperation with American allies in the region to hold the Iranian government accountable for its aggressive actions against their territorial integrity.

The IRGC’s missile attack on Iraqi territory and targeting a private villa on the outskirts of Erbil took place on March 11 of last year. The IRGC stated the target of the attack was destroying a facility affiliated with Mossad, but Iraqi officials, rejecting this claim, say one of the reasons for the IRGC’s missile attack was concern over plans to transfer natural gas from Iraqi Kurdistan to Turkey and Europe.

On the other hand, in recent weeks, Houthi militants, who receive support from the Iranian government, have carried out multiple attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil and water desalination facilities.

In recent days, following an escalation of Houthi attacks, the Wall Street Journal reported the transfer of a “substantial number” of American Patriot air defense missiles to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, on April 29, referring to a series of missile attacks by Houthi militants against the UAE and Saudi Arabia, said: “We are determined to help you defend yourselves against these attacks.”

The Yemen war, which is referred to as a proxy war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia, has become one of the most complex crises in the region and internationally over the past seven years.

Source: Radio Farda