According to a new report, Iran is using civilian companies as cover to evade sanctions and produce military drones to strike targets across the Middle East.
The study by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a coalition of Iranian opposition groups, details for the first time the extensive network of front organizations established by the regime to acquire parts for its drone program despite U.S. and international sanctions.
The NCRI identifies 15 companies with close ties to either Iran’s Ministry of Defense or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, which allow Iran to obtain parts for its growing fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The IRGC “uses these companies to purchase UAV accessories and equipment and circumvent sanctions,” the report states. “They make up a key smuggling ring of UAV parts and other aerospace industries’ needs under the guise of civilian activities.”
Here’s the list of the 15 companies, some of which were established in just the last couple years:
- Iranian Aviation & Space Industries Association
- Iranian Aviation & Space Industries Working Group
- Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST)
- Iravin Innovation and Acceleration Center
- Farnas Pasargad Aerospace Industries Company
- Bal Gostar Negah Asemanha Technology
- Kharazmi Electronics Industries
- Iran Bekr Part Khavar Mianeh
- Sahfa Production-Distribution Cooperative Company — Iranian Aerospace Industries
- Aras Tech Aircraft Maintenance Services Company
- Maham Pergas Technology
- Hezareh Sevvom Industrial Alloy Development Company
- Nazari Titanium Company
- Sara Safe Tools
- Noandishan Composite Structures Industrial-Production
“The regime is using these companies with civilian cover to get whatever it wants from the outside world for production, parts, etc.,” said Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the NCRI’s U.S. office. “No one is paying attention to this.”
The State and Treasury Departments didn’t respond to requests for comment on whether they’re aware of these companies and whether any are under consideration for sanctions.
Jafarzadeh said he hoped the NCRI’s new report, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of Iran’s drone program, will get the attention of Congress and the Biden administration.
Source: Just The News
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