OFAC Was Right to Maintain Sanctions on Iranian Car Manufacturer, Agency Says

The Office of Foreign Assets Control denied allegations that it incorrectly sanctioned Iranian car manufacturer Bahman Group, telling a federal court last month that “at all relevant times” the agency acted in accordance with U.S. sanctions authorities. The agency said it sanctioned Bahman Group twice, each time under “independent factual bases,” and said facts supported its “determination” that Bahman Group continued to provide “material assistance” to the sanctioned Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It also objected to Bahman Group’s claim that the company “successfully” rebutted the “factual bases” on which OFAC added the company to its Specially Designated Nationals List.

Bahman Group asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia earlier this year to order OFAC to remove it from the SDN List, saying the agency has “no real intention of rescinding” the designation no matter the evidence (see 2306140050). It also said it gave OFAC proof that it’s no longer engaging in sanctionable activities.