U.S. Sanctions Ukrainian Front Companies Accused of Supplying Iran’s Shahed Drone Program

The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting a procurement network that allegedly supplied critical components to Iran’s state-owned drone and missile manufacturer HESA, a subsidiary of the Iranian Defense Ministry. Washington says the network helped Iran acquire parts used in its Shahed-series attack drones, which Russia has deployed extensively against Ukraine.

U.S. Blacklists Two Ukrainian Firms Used as Iranian Front Companies

The Treasury Department on Tuesday added two Ukrainian companies, Imperativ Ukraina and Ekofera, to its sanctions list. According to U.S. officials, the entities were allegedly used as front companies by Iranian procurement agent Bahram Tabibi to move Western-made components into Iran’s drone and missile programs.

U.S. authorities say the companies helped source specialized equipment — including generators, sensors, engines, attitude indicators, magnetometers, and navigation systems — components Washington says are used in the production of Iran’s Shahed-series UAVs.

The Treasury also identified Iranian national Batoul Shafii as helping facilitate payments from Iran’s state-owned drone maker HESA to the Ukrainian-based firms.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet publicly commented on the U.S. allegations, and the companies did not respond to requests for comment from international media, according to Business Insider.

Shahed Drones at the Center of Russia’s War Effort

HESA is the manufacturer of the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 attack drones, which have become one of Russia’s most widely used weapons against Ukrainian cities, power infrastructure, and frontline positions. The drones—known for their low cost, long range, and distinctive “moped” engine sound—have played a central role in Moscow’s nighttime bombardment strategy.

U.S. officials say the new sanctions are designed to sever key supply chains Iran relies on to sustain and expand the Shahed production line.