Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran’s nuclear, missile, and military procurement networks
October 1, 2025 – The United States has announced sweeping new sanctions on Iranian individuals, entities, and international procurement networks tied to Tehran’s nuclear weapons program, ballistic missile development, and military aircraft industry. The measures follow the September 27 “snapback” reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, triggered by the regime’s “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments.
The State Department sanctioned five individuals and one company linked to Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), the successor to Iran’s pre-2004 nuclear weapons program. At the same time, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 21 entities and 17 individuals across multiple continents for facilitating illicit procurement of sensitive technology on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and its affiliates.
Targeting SPND and Iran’s Nuclear Efforts
The State Department’s designations under Executive Order 13382 focus on SPND officials and their cover companies involved in acquiring dual-use equipment with potential nuclear weapons applications.
- Reza Mozaffarinia, SPND’s current director, has overseen sensitive technology acquisitions.
- Ali Fuladvand, head of SPND’s Research Directorate, has advanced dual-use technology procurement.
- Mohammad Reza Ghadir Zare Zaghalchi, head of the Shahid Fakhar Moghaddam Group, supports radiation detection research relevant to nuclear weapons.
- Ali Kalvand and Ali Bakouei have attempted to procure nuclear-explosive-related items from foreign suppliers.
- Andisheh Damavand International Technologies (DamavandTec) facilitated travel for Iranian experts to Russia and supported dual-use technology acquisitions.
The Department emphasized that these actions highlight “Iran’s continuing attempts to procure components and technologies in support of its proliferation activities that threaten U.S. and regional security.”
Treasury Action Hits Missile and Aircraft Procurement Networks
In parallel, OFAC targeted a vast network of companies and individuals linked to Iran’s missile and conventional weapons programs. The sanctioned networks span Iran, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Türkiye, Portugal, and Uruguay.
Among the key actions:
- Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG): Procurement of guidance and navigation systems for ballistic missiles.
- Beh Joule Pars Commercial Engineering Company: Central to acquiring gyroscopes, accelerometers, and microelectromechanical systems for Iran’s missile program.
- Khazra Communications Technology Solutions: Supplied U.S.-origin electronics for radar and missile systems, with the support of China-based procurement agents.
- Pasargad Helicopter Company (PHC): Acquired helicopters and spare parts for Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (PANHA), an IRGC-linked entity that manufactures Iranian clones of U.S.-designed helicopters.
Treasury officials underscored the broader threat, noting that the networks enabled Iran to procure advanced surface-to-air missile systems and even an illicitly purchased U.S.-manufactured helicopter.
Coordination Across U.S. Agencies
The sanctions were coordinated with the Departments of State and Homeland Security, as well as the FBI. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI identified procurement networks supplying Iran’s ballistic missile program.
HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Scarpino said the action reflects U.S. resolve to dismantle “illicit supply chains that threaten international stability.” The FBI’s Reuben Coleman added that U.S. agencies will remain “relentless in preventing weapons and dangerous assets from falling into the hands of foreign and domestic adversaries.”
Broader Strategic Context
Both actions are taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their support networks. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said:
“The Iranian regime’s support of terrorist proxies and its pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the security of the Middle East, the United States and our allies around the world. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will deny the regime weapons it would use to further its malign objectives.”
The U.S. government reiterated that all UN member states must enforce the reinstated sanctions regime, including arms embargoes, export controls, travel bans, and asset freezes.
Implications
With these designations, all U.S. assets of the sanctioned individuals and entities are blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting transactions with them. Violations may result in severe civil or criminal penalties, while foreign entities engaging with designated actors risk secondary sanctions.
The latest measures demonstrate Washington’s intent to curtail Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, disrupt its missile and aircraft programs, and sever the IRGC’s global procurement networks.
