Overview

Amir Dianat is a U.S.-designated businessman who is associated with Behnam Shahriyari and Rostam Ghasemi, officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force (IRGC-QF). A dual Iranian-Iraqi national, Dianat has supported IRGC-QF smuggling operations for several years, including efforts aimed at the shipment of arms and missiles.“Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 1, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm995.

Dianat has allegedly been directly involved in IRGC-QF efforts to secure entry for vessels containing IRGC shipments from Iran to Yemen.“Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 1, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm995. The IRGC-QF is a special branch of the IRGC tasked with achieving sensitive missions beyond Iran’s borders. The IRGC-QF has played an active role in providing training and weapons to extremist groups including Iraqi insurgents, Lebanese Hezbollah, and others.“IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps),” Counter Extremism Project, https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/irgc-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps. Allegedly, Dianat has been involved in facilitating illicit business opportunities to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF, and in 2019, leveraged Taif Mining Services LLC, a company under his control, to procure an oil tanker.“Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 1, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm995.

On May 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) listed Amir Dianat as a Specially Designated National for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF.“Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 1, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm995.

Additionally, on May 1, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia filed criminal charges against Dianat and his business associate, Kamran Lajmiri. They were charged for violation of U.S. sanctions and money laundering laws to generate revenue for the IRGC. Allegedly, the two channeled money through the United States to buy a Liberian-flagged oil tanker.“U.S. Sanctions Businessman for Arms Smuggling,” United States Institute of Peace, May 4, 2020, https://iranprimer.usip.org/index.php/blog/2020/may/04/us-sanctions-businessman-arms-smuggling. The Department of Justice filed a civil action seeking forfeiture of $12 million used to buy the tanker, subsequently freezing those funds.“Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 1, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm995; “Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Iranian Nationals for Violating Money Laundering & Sanctions Laws by Procuring Petroleum Tanker,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/criminal-charges-filed-against-two-iranian-nationals-violating-money-laundering-sanctions. Dianat and Lajmiri allegedly concealed from the seller of the tanker that the vessel was destined for Iran and would be used by the IRGC in clear violation of the regulations, prohibitions, and licensing requirements of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).“Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Iranian Nationals for Violating Money Laundering & Sanctions Laws by Procuring Petroleum Tanker,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/criminal-charges-filed-against-two-iranian-nationals-violating-money-laundering-sanctions.