Monthly Archives: April 2024

U.S. Senators asked the Biden administration about Russia’s use of cryptocurrency to evade sanctions

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U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall have sent a letter to the Biden Admininstration regarding the threat posed by the Tether cryptocurrency (USDT), the value of which is pegged to the U.S. dollar.

The senators state that Tether helps Russia, Iran, and North Korea circumvent financial sanctions.

“Tether has become the cryptocurrency of choice for sanctions evaders and other bad actors,” wrote the senators.

“Russia is using crypto to move funds and conduct transactions in dark web marketplaces,” the senators continued.

The letter was addressed to Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, and FinCEN Director, Andrea Gacki.

In the letter, the senators asked the following questions:

  1. What additional authority would Treasury require in order to stop Tether and other
    cryptocurrencies from being traded through Garantex and other sanctioned entities?
    a. Are those necessary authorities enumerated in Treasury’s November 2023 letter to
    Congress requesting additional counterterrorism tools?
  2. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) 2019 guidance on the application of
    the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) to crypto entities applies traditional BSA principles to the
    crypto ecosystem.26 Would the additional authorities detailed in Treasury’s November
    2023 letter assist FinCEN in identifying and stopping bad actors, including sanctions
    evaders like Russia, Iran, and North Korea, from processing crypto transactions?
  3. Are the Department of Defense and the White House supportive of Treasury’s request for
    additional enforcement authorities to counter the national security risk posed by
    cryptocurrency?
  4. Since the October 7th attack on Israel, how many times have DoD, Treasury, the White
    House, and FinCEN leadership met, both jointly and individually, to address the threat
    crypto poses to our national security? Please provide an unclassified listing of any
    internal reports or memoranda related to crypto illicit financing that DoD, Treasury, the
    White House, or FinCEN has produced since October 7th, 2023.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gets expensive Toyota cars

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State-run TV in North Korea has shown footage of a meeting between Kim Jong-un and the military. Kim Jong-un arrived at the event in an Aurus Senat limousine which was gifted to him by the Russian government.

State-run TV in North Korea

A convoy of Kim’s vehicles was also shown, including new luxury Toyota Land Cruisers. These cars cost from 83,000 euros in the EU.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un / Photo: kremlin.ru

In March 2013, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved Resolution 2094 which prohibited the export of expensive cars to North Korea (DPRK).

Lithuanian customs confiscated an expensive car for a Russian customer

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The Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania announced the confiscation of a BMW LDxDrive that was transported by a Belarusian driver for a client in Russia.

The Belarusian driver attempted to claim that the car was purchased for his own use, but the Customs Department revealed that the vehicle worth 41,000 euros had been bought to be sold in Russia.

According to the Customs Department, Belarusian citizens are not allowed to transport goods for commercial purposes through the territory of the European Union. 

Since 2022, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) has suspended car exports to Russia, but car markets in Russia still sell new BMWs produced in 2023 and 2024.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the Iranian UAV industry

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The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed financial sanctions on individuals, companies, and vessels that help with the sale of Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

According to the OFACs statement, Sahara Thunder is the main company in this network and plays a key role in the design, development, manufacturing, and sale of thousands of UAVs. Many of these UAVs are ultimately transferred to Russia. 

“The United States, in close coordination with our British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all means available to combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilizing activities”

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson

The following individuals have been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

  • ABDI ASJERD, Abbas (Arabic: عباس عبدی اسجرد), Tehran, Iran; DOB 09 Sep 1960; nationality Iran; Gender Male; Passport R35593485 (Iran); National ID No. 0045607362 (Iran);
  • ABDI ASJERD, Zahra (Arabic: زهرا عبدی اسجرد), Tehran, Iran; DOB 22 Oct 1995; nationality Iran; Gender Female; Passport F44356873 (Iran) expires 03 Jan 2023; National ID No. 0018946798 (Iran);
  • ABDULAHI FARD, Hojat (Arabic: حجت عبدالهی فرد) (a.k.a. ABDOLLAHI FARD, Hojjat; a.k.a. ABDOLLAHIFARD, Hojat), Tehran, Iran; DOB 22 Dec 1964; nationality Iran; Gender Male; National ID No. 4072184535 (Iran);
  • BAKHSHAYESH, Hossein (Arabic: حسین بخشایش) (a.k.a. BAKHSHAISH, Hussein), Tehran, Iran; DOB 22 May 1964; nationality Iran; Gender Male; National ID No. 1189810190 (Iran);
  • EIDI ASHJERDI, Hamid (Arabic: حمید عیدی آشجردی) (a.k.a. EYDI ASHJERDI, Hamid), Tehran, Iran; DOB 01 Dec 1963; nationality Iran; Gender Male; Passport V54707341 (Iran) expires 01 Oct 2026; National ID No. 0053643232 (Iran);
  • MIRZAI KONDORI, Kazem (Arabic: کاظم میرزایی کندری) (a.k.a. MIRZAEI KONDORI, Kazem; a.k.a. MIRZAI KANDARI, Kazem), Tehran, Iran; DOB 11 Jul 1958; nationality Iran; Gender Male; Passport V52950311 (Iran) expires 29 Jul 2025; National ID No. 0046310622 (Iran);
  • MORADIPOUR, Mohammad Ali (Arabic: محمد علی مرادی پور) (a.k.a. ALI MORADIPUR, Mohammad), Tehran, Iran; DOB 30 Apr 1959; nationality Iran; Gender Male; National ID No. 1218719699 (Iran);
  • VAHABZADEH MOGHADAM, Seyed Mohsen (Arabic: سید محسن وهاب زاده مقدم) (a.k.a. VAHABZADEH MOGHADDAM, Seyed Mohsen), Tehran, Iran; DOB 22 Nov 1958; nationality Iran; Gender Male; National ID No. 0042587662 (Iran).

The following entities have been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

  • ARSANG SAFE TRADING CO. (Arabic: شزکت ایمن تجارت ارسنگ), 901, Negin Saii Tower, Vali-asr St., Tehran 14338, Iran; Website www.arsangco.com; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Organization Established Date 03 Mar 2014; National ID No. 14003927492 (Iran); Business Registration Number 450913 (Iran);
  • ASIA MARINE CROWN AGENCY (Arabic: شرکت تاج دریای آسیا) (a.k.a. TAJ DARYAE ASIA COMPANY), First Floor, Khalij Abi Complex, No. 0, Imam Khomeini Street, Shahid Jahan Ara Street, Manazel 38 Ghermez Neighborhood, Bandar Imam Khomeini City, Bandar Imam Khomeini Section, Bandar Mahshahr, Khuzestan 6356174826, Iran; Apt. 7, 1st Floor, South Wing, Bldg. No. 21, Kar Va Tejarat St., Vanak Sq., Tehran 1991943845, Iran; Organization Established Date 09 Jan 2019; National ID No. 14008069775 (Iran); Business Registration Number 10977 (Iran);
  • BARAN SAZAN CASPIAN ANZALI FREE ZONE COMPANY (Arabic: شرکت باران سازان کاسپین منطقه آزاد انزلی), Kiashahr Section, Koye Shahid Rajai Neighborhood, Shahid Seyyed Isa Jalili Alley, Shahid Ahmedpour Alley, 17 Shaghayegh, No. 0, Ground Floor, Astaneh Ashrafiyeh, Kiashahr, Gilan Province 4447114702, Iran; Anzali Commercial-Industrial Free Zone, Chappard Zaman, Laleh Alley Street 2, No. 178, 4349137899, Iran; North Kargar St., Above Jalal Al-Ahmad, 11th Alley, Shahid Khojaste, No. 2, Third Floor, Tehran 1439715333, Iran; Organization Established Date 14 Aug 2019; National ID No. 14008086051 (Iran); Registration Number 3644;
  • BONYAN DANESH SHARGH PRIVATE COMPANY (Arabic: شرکت بنیان دانش شرق) (a.k.a. BONYAN DANESH SHARGH COMPANY), District 15, Bagh Saba-Sohrevardi Street, Ghabousnameh, Shahid Mohammad Bakhshi Movaghar Alley, 2nd Floor, No. 27, Tehran, Tehran Province 1588856643, Iran; Organization Established Date 16 Mar 1994; National ID No. 10101477155 (Iran); Registration Number 103805 (Iran);
  • CORAL TRADING EST (Arabic: موسسة كورال للتجارة), Deira Riggat Al Batten, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Unit 4, 2nd Floor, No 18, East Nahid, Jordan Street, Tehran, Iran; Organization Established Date 15 Jul 2022; License 1081218 (United Arab Emirates); Economic Register Number (CBLS) 11907262 (United Arab Emirates);
  • ETEMAD TEJARAT MISAGH (Arabic: اعتماد تجارت میثاق) (a.k.a. MISAGH TRADE TRUST COMPANY), Iran; National ID No. 10101409423 (Iran); Registration Number 96892 (Iran);
  • ONDEN GENERAL TRADING FZE (Arabic: اوندين جنرال تريدينغ م م ح), P2-ELOB Office No. E-21F-10, Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Organization Established Date 26 Jul 2023; Registration Number 29197 (United Arab Emirates); Economic Register Number (CBLS) 12130484 (United Arab Emirates);
  • PISHRO SANAT ASEMAN SHARIF PRIVATE COMPANY (Arabic: شرکت پیشرو صنعت آسمان شریف), Central Sector, North Persian Gulf Neighborhood, Shahid Shokralah Mohseni Alley, Second Alley, No. 24, Milad Building Block A1, 1st Floor, Unit 1, Tehran, Tehran Province 1379616818, Iran; Central Sector, Shahrak Rah Ahan, Kamyab Street, Kavoosh Alley, No. 0, Pezeshkan Trita Building, Floor 4, No 59, Islamshahr, Tehran Province 1498711318, Iran; Organization Established Date 30 Jul 2022; National ID No. 14011378933 (Iran); Registration Number 599557 (Iran);
  • SAFE SEAS SHIP MANAGEMENT FZE (Arabic: سیف سیز شیب مانجمینت م م ح), P1-ELOB Office No. E-19F-34, Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Office Building 2G-02, Hamriyah Free Zone, PO Box 53269, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Organization Established Date 14 Jun 2017; Identification Number IMO 5993126; License 16065 (United Arab Emirates); Economic Register Number (CBLS) 11582160 (United Arab Emirates);
  • SAHARA THUNDER (Arabic: شرکت تندر صحرا) (a.k.a. DESERT THUNDER COMPANY; a.k.a. TONDAR SAHARA CO.; a.k.a. TONDAR SAHRA PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY), No. 2, Moghadas Alley (4), Ghasir St., Beheshti St., Tehran, Iran; Fifth Floor, No 2, Shahid Hassan Moghadam Alley, Shahid Ahmad Ghasir St, Argentine, Saei St, Tehran, Iran; Website www.saharathunder.com; Organization Established Date 07 Dec 1992; National ID No. 10101382714 (Iran); Chamber of Commerce Number 131454 (Iran); Business Registration Number 94186 (Iran);
  • SANAYE MOTORSAZI ALVAND PRIVATE COMPANY (Arabic: شرکت صنایع موتورسازی الوند) (a.k.a. ALVAND MOTORBUILDING INDUSTRIES PRIVATE COMPANY), Central Sector, Bagh Saba-Sohrevardi Street, Ghabousnameh Street, Shahid Mohammad Bakhshi Movaghar Alley, No. 27, First Floor, Tehran, Tehran Province 1588856641, Iran; Organization Established Date 01 Jan 2023; National ID No. 14011819996 (Iran); Registration Number 606989 (Iran);
  • SAONE SHIPPING CORPORATION (a.k.a. SAONE SHIPPING CORP), 60th Floor, BICSA Financial Center, Avenida Balboa, Panama City, Panama; Organization Established Date 10 Jan 2020; Identification Number IMO 6381530; Registration Number 155689977 (Panama);
  • SEA ART SHIP MANAGEMENT OPC PRIVATE LIMITED (a.k.a. SEA ART SHIP MANAGEMENT OPC), 511A, Shelton Sapphire, Sector 15, Plot No. 18&19, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Thane, Maharashtra 400614, India; Organization Established Date 20 Aug 2021; Identification Number IMO 6249053; Business Registration Number 366117 (India);
  • TRANS GULF AGENCY LLC (Arabic: ترانس جولف ايجانسي) (a.k.a. TRANS GULF AGENCY), P.O Box 7742, Office No 202, Fitco Building 3, Inside Fujairah Seaport, United Arab Emirates; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates; Website www.transgulfagency.ae; Organization Established Date 19 Jun 2014; alt. Organization Established Date 08 Nov 2015; License 1013348 (United Arab Emirates); alt. License 745668 (United Arab Emirates); Economic Register Number (CBLS) 10382731 (United Arab Emirates); alt. Economic Register Number (CBLS) 10932144 (United Arab Emirates);
  • ZEN SHIPPING & PORT INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (a.k.a. ZEN SHIPPING & PORTS INDIA PVT LTD; a.k.a. ZEN SHIPPING AND PORT INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED; a.k.a. ZEN SHIPPING AND PORTS INDIA PVT LTD), Unit 002, B-wing Ground Floor, 215 Atrium, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 059, India; Website www.zenships.com; Organization Established Date 05 Apr 2011; Business Registration Number 215807 (India).

The following vessels have been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

  • CHEM (E5U4368) Chemical/Products Tanker Cook Islands flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9240914; MMSI 518998388 (vessel);
  • CONRAD (E5U4542) Oil Products Tanker Cook Islands flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9546722; MMSI 518998562 (vessel);
  • DANCY DYNAMIC (T8A3476) Oil Products Tanker Palau flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9158161; MMSI 511100350 (vessel);
  • K M A (E5U4542) Chemical/Products Tanker Cook Islands flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9234616; MMSI 518998425 (vessel);
  • LA PEARL (a.k.a. ELITE) (5IM808) Crude Oil Tanker Tanzania flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9174660; MMSI 677070800 (vessel).

The following aircraft has been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

  • EP-PUS; Aircraft Manufacture Date 1992; Aircraft Mode S Transponder Code 7342B3; Aircraft Model Ilyushin IL-76TD; Aircraft Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) 1023409321.

Norway supports sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank

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Norway has decided to join the sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank.  

“For decades, settler violence has been allowed to grow due to widespread impunity and a failure to hold those responsible accountable. As the occupying power, Israel is required by international law to protect the Palestinian civilian population.  Norway has aligned with the sanctions adopted by the EU on 19 April against extremist settlers in the West Bank.” said the Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
  
In April, 19 the European Union imposed sanctions on four persons and two entities:

  • Neria Ben Pazi, who has established four of the most violent outposts in the West Bank in 2019;
  • Yinon Levi. He has taken part in multiple violent acts against neighbouring villages from his residence in the Mitarim farm illegal outpost;
  • Meir Ettinger is considered a leading figure of the Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank;
  • Elisha Yered is an Israeli settler activist in the West Bank and known as being affiliated with the Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group that engages in violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank:
  • Lehava is a radical right-wing Jewish supremacist group led by its founder Ben-Zion “Bentzi” Gopstein:
  • Hilltop Youth is a radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank.

Russian billionaire Potanin seeks to circumvent sanctions through China

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Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin, president of Norilsk Nickel, the leader of Russia’s mining and metallurgy industry, has come up with a plan to circumvent U.S. sanctions.

Interros Investment Company published an interview with Potanin in which he discusses plans to shift сopper production from Russia to China, saying that in this case, the copper would be produced in China and he would no longer be subject to sanctions. 

A week earlier, the U.S imposed sanctions on copper and aluminum from Russia. According to Norilsk’s report, it plans to produce at least 398,000 tons of copper in 2024. 

Vladimir Potanin is ranked second on the 2023 list of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires with a fortune estimated at $23.7 billion, having been added to the sanctions lists of both the U.K. and U.S in 2014.

The U.S. inhibits the Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program by sanctions

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The U.S. has imposed sanctions on four entities that have supplied Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

These entities were added to the US sanctions list:

  • Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, also known as Volat, is a Belarusian company that  as worked with the Pakistan National Development Complex to provide special vehicle chassis for ballistic missiles. It is an open joint-stock company with 100% ownership by the Republic of Belarus and employs more than 4,000 people.
  • People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, has supplied a filament winding machine, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program;
  • PRC-based Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd has supplied stir welding equipment;
  • PRC-based Granpect Company Limited has worked with Pakistan’s SUPARCO to supply equipment for testing of large diameter rocket motors.

European sanctions reach Russian space comlex Spektr-UF

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The Russian arbitration Court of Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad region has published a decision  related to an argument between the Russian space company Lavochkin Association and the French company Sodern, wich has been developing cutting-edge technology for the space.

Lavochkin Association is developing the space complex Spektr-UF which will carry out astrophysical researches in the ultraviolet and visible ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In 2021, the companies signed a contract according to which Sodern would produce sensors for Spektr-UF. After that, Lavochkin Association made an advance payment of 340,000 euros to Sodern.

However, in 2022 and 2023 Lavochkin Association was sanctioned by the U.S. and EU, prohibiting all supplies from Soderne to Lavochkin Association.

Lavochkin Association has demanded the return of money. According to the Russian courts documents, after arguing over the order of the refund, Sodern applied to the court with a proposal to transfer funds by the Paris Bar Association prior to the lifting of sanctions imposed by the European Council. Apparently, Lavochkin Association did not agree with this idea and took the matter to court

Finally, the Arbitration Court of Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad region has decided to recover funds from Sodern for Lavochkin Association.

However, it is unclear how the French company will recover the funds without violating the sanctions.

EU prepares new sanctions on Iran’s drone industry

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The European Union (EU) is preparing new sanctions against Iran’s drone industry. This decision was made at a summit in Brussels, and it was caused by an attack on Israel by Iran on April 14th.

The missiles launched by Iran were from the territories of several countries, including Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The attack was the largest drone attack in the world, and the most significant rocket attack in Iranian history.

According to the EU, further restrictive measures will be taken against Iran, specifically in relation to drones and missiles.

There are companies in Iran that produce military drones, such as Qods Aviation Industry Company and Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).

Shahed / Photo: Kyiv City State Administration

The U.S. prepares new sanctions on Iran

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has announced new sanctions on Iran after its unprecedented air attack against Israel.

“In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program,” said Jake Sullivan.

He added that over the past three years, the U.S has sanctioned more than 600 people and entities related to terrorism, financing terrorism, and other illegal activities.

“The pressure will continue,” stressed Jake Sullivan.

On April 7th, Iran launched 120 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles at Israel, as well as 170 drones, trying to hit military bases and government buildings. The attack lasted for about five hours.

After that attack, the Israeli government stated that Iran must pay a price for its aggression and the initial price must be the immediate recognition of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps – which launched the extensive terrorist attack last night – as a terrorist organization.