‘Putting maximum pressure’: US sanctions one more Indian company; alleges links to Iran’s missile, drone programmes

The United States has imposed sanctions on an Indian company among 32 individuals and entities accused of helping Iran’s missile and drone development networks.The US department of the treasury’s office of foreign assets control (OFAC) listed Farmlane Private Limited as part of a network operating across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine, which allegedly supports Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production.According to the treasury department, Farmlane’s director, Marco Klinge, who is based in the UAE, played a key role in coordinating procurement activities for Iran’s defence Industries Organisation through a partnership known as the “MVM partnership.”Klinge, a German national, is also the chief executive officer of Germany-based EVA Handelsgesellschaft UG and the point of contact for UAE-based MVM Amici Trading LLC.The treasury said the partnership, since 2023, procured hundreds of metric tonnes of missile propellant ingredients, including sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and sebacic acid, from Chinese suppliers for Iran’s Parchin Chemical Industries, a unit of Iran’s Defence Industries Organisation.OFAC has designated Klinge, Farmlane, MVM Amici Trading LLC, and EVA Handelsgesellschaft UG under Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters.In a statement, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K Hurley said, “Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies. At the direction of President Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat. The United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial system.”The treasury said the sanctioned networks pose a threat to US and allied personnel in the Middle East and to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The measures are part of Washington’s effort to disrupt Iran’s attempts to rebuild its missile and UAV capabilities following the 12-Day War.