The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted three procurement networks with sanctions including five Turkey-based companies and two Turkish citizens that have supported Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs.
It said in a statement on Wednesday that the networks, based in Iran, Turkey, Oman and Germany, had procured carbon fiber, epoxy resins and other missile-applicable goods for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO), Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), other US-designated entities in Iran’s defense industrial base and Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), which is linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
Logistics, foreign trade, mining, petroleum and chemicals companies in Turkey — Tit Uluslararasi Nakliyat Deri Tekstil Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Gokler Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Mahmut Gok Skies Petroleum Dis Ticaret DM Gold Kiymetli Madenler Anonim Sirketi and Klas Kimyasal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi — have been sanctioned in addition to Turkish citizens Mahmut Gök and Hidayet Kanoğlu.
The Turkish companies are accused of acting as front companies to facilitate procurements for Iranian defense end-users including the IRGC ASF SSJO.
According to OPAC, Gökler Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi has facilitated procurement of carbon fiber and solvents used in the production of carbon fiber for Iran’s MODAFL and its subsidiaries. The company’s managing editor Mahmut Gök has personally conducted procurement of artificial graphite destined for Iran on behalf of the company.
Kanoğlu is accused of procuring resin and hardener for Sazeh Morakab Co. Ltd for the ultimate benefit of TESA.
“Through complex covert procurement networks, Iran seeks to supply rogue actors around the world with weapons systems that fuel conflict and risk countless civilian lives,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States will continue to use our tools to disrupt these networks and hold accountable those countries that would help proliferate Iran’s drones and missiles.”
As part of OFAC’s sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated companies and persons, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. All transactions by US persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited.
In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the entities designated may themselves be exposed to sanctions. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the or entities designated could be subject to US sanctions.
In a similar development in February, OFAC also announced sanctions on a Turkey-based company, along with three others in Iran and the United Arab Emirates as well as three people, for helping transfer US technology and goods to Iran and its central bank.