On October 16, OFAC targeted a network of twenty prominent Iranian businesses and investment companies alleged to have provided financial assistance to the Basij Resistance Force ("Basij"), an Iran-based paramilitary force that operates at the direction of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. ("IRGC") and provides internal security services for the Iranian government. As part of its paramilitary operations, Basij recruits school children—sometimes as young as twelve years old—provides them with combat training, and deploys them to fight in IRGC conflicts across the region. The sanctioned entities allegedly comprise a network of businesses and financial institutions, referred to as the Bonyad Taavon Basij, that use shell companies and other deceptive measures to hide their Basij-ownership. The network's business interests include Iran's automotive, mining, metals, and banking industries, and many of the companies have dealings across the Middle East and with Europe. Pursuant to EO 13224, which targets terrorism and those providing support to terrorists, the following entities were designated as SDNs:
- Andisheh Mehvaran Investment Company
- Bahman Group
- Bandar Abbas Zinc Production Company
- Bank Mellat
- Bonyad Taavon Basij (a.k.a. Basij Cooperative Foundation)
- Calcimin (a.k.a. Kalsimin)
- Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Company (a.k.a. Mobarakeh Steel Company)
- Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company (a.k.a. Iran Tractor Manufacturing)
- Iran Zinc Mines Development Company
- Mehr Eqtesad Bank (a.k.a. Mehr Interest-Free Bank)
- Mehr Eqtesad Financial Group
- Parsian bank
- Parsian Catalyst Chemical Company
- Qeshm Zinc Smelting And Reduction Company (a.k.a. Qeshm Zinc Smelting And Reduction Complex)
- Sina Bank (a.k.a. Sina Finance And Credit Institute)
- Tadbirgaran Atiyeh Iranian Investment Company
- Taktar Investment Company
- Technotar Engineering Company
- Zanjan Acid Production Company (a.k.a. Zanjan Acid Makers; a.k.a. Zanjan Acid Makers And Alvand Rouinkaran; a.k.a. Zanjan Acid Sazan)
- Negin Sahel Royal Investment Company (a.k.a. Negin Sahel Royal Co.)
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