The US Department of the Treasury has imposed new financial sanctions against two more Iranian groups for their alleged role in supporting the nation's ballistic missile program. The department also blacklisted groups from the UK and the United Arab Emirates for serving as business fronts for Iran's Mahan Air, which was sanctioned due to facilitating movement of weapons for the Revolutionary Guard in 2011.
According to The Guardian, the US imposed similar sanctions on 11 other firms and individuals alleged to be involved in the program after the launching of test rockets last month which is against the United Nations' resolution. The latest companies to join the black list include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Al-Ghadir Missile Command and subsidiaries of Shahid Hemmat Industrial. The two groups have been involved in test launches on March 8 and 9.
The US administration also targeted companies from Britain, including Aircraft, Avionics, Parts and Support, and Aviation Capital Solutions. The US claims that these British groups provided support to an Iranian airline through flying weapons and soldiers to the war-torn Syria.
The Press TV reported that two British businessmen, John Edward Meadows, and Jeffrey John James, are now among the growing list of individuals who are part of the imposed restrictions for doing trades with Iran's Mahan Air. The airline has been accused by Washington of transporting arms and funds for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps or IRGC.
Despite the nuclear agreement reached last July between global powers and Iran, US President Obama's administration faces increasing pressure from Congress to fight against Iran for the missile tests and disruptive regional activities.
US officials said Iran has conducted several rocket tests in the recent weeks and may have gone against the United Nations Security Council Resolution's policies, reports The Wall Street Journal. Iranian officials insisted that the missiles are for defense, not part of a nuclear program.
The US Department of Treasury moves to block any US company or individual from conducting business with entities included in the blacklist. The sanction also freezes any holdings the designees have inside the financial system of the US.
