US Imposes Sanctions on 32 Entities in 6 Countries, Including India, for Backing Iran's Ballistic Missile Program

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The United States has imposed sanctions on 32 entities and individuals in six countries, including India, for allegedly supporting Iran's ballistic missile and drone production. The fresh sanctions are in line with the United Nations' decision to reinstate an arms embargo on Iran in September. According to a statement from the US Department of State, the sanctioned entities and individuals have been operating multiple procurement networks to support Iran's ballistic missile and drone production, including on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The sanctions also apply to entities and individuals in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Turkey. The US government said the sanctions are aimed at supporting the United Nations' efforts to address the threats posed by Iran's nuclear, ballistic missile, conventional arms, and destabilizing activities. This move is also in line with President Trump's National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 to counter Iran's development of missiles and other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities. This is the latest in a series of sanctions imposed by the US on Indian entities and individuals for allegedly facilitating Iranian energy trade. Last month, the US imposed sanctions on eight Indian nationals and several India-based firms for their alleged role in facilitating Iranian energy trade. In July, the US announced sanctions against six Indian firms for allegedly trading Iranian petroleum or petrochemical products. The US Department of State has imposed similar sanctions on entities and individuals in Turkey, the UAE, China, and Indonesia. The sanctions aim to deny the Iranian regime access to funds it uses to conduct its malign activities.