By Pishtaz | 2024-05-07

The leadership and affiliated business network of a private company known for its links with Iran's space program and Russia's drone factory have come under US sanctions following the Iranian regime's attack on Israel in April.

Bonyan Danesh Shargh produces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), quadcopters, engines, and electronic and digital parts, and engages in a wide range of public and private sector business activities in Iran and abroad, the US Treasury said April 25.

The company also serves as an intermediary for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO).

Bonyan Danesh Shargh, in partnership with Russia-based companies NPK Barl and VNII Electromekhaniki, reportedly designed the Khayyam satellite built and launched by Russia in 2022, according to the Iran Watch website.

The company partners with the Iranian Space Agency to carry out in-orbit operations of the satellite, it said.

Individual leaders within Bonyan Danesh Shargh were targeted in the latest sanctions, including Chief Executive Officer Abbas Abdi Asjerd, Seyed Mohsen Vahabzadeh Moghadam, Zahra Abdi Asjerd and Hamid Eidi Ashjerdi.

Moghadam and Zahra Asjerd have served in different official capacities at Bonyan, while Ashjerdi has provided corporate auditing and inspection services for the company.

Abbas Asjerd, Moghadam and US-designated IRGC ASF SSJO Chief Abdollah Mehrabi serve in various official capacities at the Iran-based firm Baran Sazan Caspian Anzali Free Zone Company (BSC).

Asjerd and Moghadam are also board members of the Iran-based firms Sanaye Motorsazi Alvand and Pishro Sanat Aseman Sharif.

Alvand manufactures, imports and exports UAVs and engines, while Pishro Sanat designs and manufactures sensitive UAV components, including servomotors.

Drone factory in Russia

Bonyan Danesh Shargh also has been involved in discussions regarding an Iran-backed drone factory in Russia.

Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) has worked with Russia to finance and produce Iranian-designed one-way attack drones at a US-sanctioned facility in Russia under a $1.75 billion contract, the US Treasury said.

Reports suggest this factory could produce at least 6,000 drones per year, manufacturing a variant of the Iranian Shahed-136, an attack drone capable of carrying 45.4kg of explosives over 1,931km.

The Russian military has used such drones to attack critical infrastructure and civilian targets in Ukraine.

"Iran's Ministry of Defense continues to destabilize the region and world with its support to Russia's war in Ukraine, unprecedented attack on Israel, and proliferation of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorist proxies," Treasury official Brian E. Nelson said in the statement announcing the sanctions.