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12/14/2023

U.S. and U.K. Target IRGC-QF Support to Hamas and Other Proxy Groups | U.S. Department of the Treasury

U.S. and U.K. Target IRGC-QF Support to Hamas and Other Proxy
Groups
December 14, 2023

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasuryʼs O ice of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) and the United Kingdom are jointly taking action against Iranʼs Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
(Jihad). The U.K. is taking its first action pursuant to new Iran-related authorities, targeting
eight actors, including the head of the IRGC-QF, and individuals linked to Iranʼs support for
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The U.K.ʼs new sanctions authority has been
developed to respond to unprecedented threats from the Iranian regime, including e orts to
undermine peace and security across the Middle East and plots to kill individuals on U.K. soil.
OFAC is designating an IRGC-QF o icial involved in support to Hamas.
“Treasury applauds the United Kingdomʼs new Iran sanctions authorities, which will be
instrumental in taking action against Iranian support to Hamas and other regional proxy
groups that fan conflict and contribute to widespread su ering,” said Deputy Secretary of the
Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “The United States continues to coordinate with our partners,
including the United Kingdom, to tackle terrorist financing and threats from Iran.”
OFACʼs action today is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended,
which targets terrorist groups and their supporters. The IRGC-QF was designated pursuant to
E.O. 13224 on October 25, 2007 for providing support to multiple terrorist groups.
Today, the U.K. is sanctioning eight actors a iliated with the IRGC-QF, Hamas, or PIJ, seven of
whom have previously been designated by OFAC, including IRGC-QF commander Esmail Qaani
and senior IRGC-QF o icial Muhammad Saʼid Izadi. IRGC-QF support has enabled Hamasʼ and
PIJʼs terrorist activities, to include the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in financial
assistance and provision of weapons and operational training. In coordination with the U.K.,
OFAC is designating IRGC-QF o icial Majid Zaree (Zaree), who is involved in the IRGC-QFʼs
support to groups such as Hizballah and Hamas.
Zaree is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported
to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the IRGC-QF. The IRGC-QF was designated
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U.S. and U.K. Target IRGC-QF Support to Hamas and Other Proxy Groups | U.S. Department of the Treasury

pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 25, 2007 for providing support to multiple terrorist groups.

SANCT IONS IMPLICAT IONS
As a result of todayʼs action, all property and interests in property of the individual that are in
the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and
reported to OFAC. OFACʼs sanctions generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within
the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any
property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.
In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individual designated today
may themselves be exposed to designation. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that
knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for the
individual designated today could be subject to U.S. correspondent or payable-through
account sanctions.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from its ability to designate and
add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but
also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The
ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.
For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the
SDN List, please refer to OFACʼs Frequently Asked Question 897.
Click here for identifying information on the individuals and entities designated today.
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