WANA (May 30) – The United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting what it describes as an Iranian procurement network, alleging that it used deceptive practices and false identities to obtain sensitive technologies and restricted goods for sanctioned Iranian entities.

 

In a statement released on Sunday, the U.S. Department of State said the sanctions were imposed as part of an operation dubbed “Economic Fury,” conducted in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

 

According to Washington, the network allegedly worked to acquire restricted technologies and products for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, as well as other sanctioned end users in the country.

 

The State Department also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that could help identify, disrupt, or dismantle the alleged network.

 

The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Washington over a potential memorandum of understanding, even as the United States continues to expand its sanctions campaign against Iran.

 

Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added one individual, 16 companies, and eight vessels to its Iran-related sanctions list.

 

Before that, the newly established Gulf Waterway Management Authority—an Iranian body created to oversee maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—was also placed under U.S. sanctions.

 

On Wednesday evening, the Treasury Department further warned foreign governments and businesses that cooperation with Iranian airlines in facilitating trade with Iran could expose them to U.S. penalties and restrictions.