The United States officially designated Iran's construction sector as "under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)" today, announcing mandatory sanctions against any parties trading in this sector. This escalation comes as Washington intensifies economic pressure to compel Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.

Key Sanctions Determination:
The State Department invoked *Section 1245 of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (2012)*, making two critical findings:

1. Identification of 10 strategic materials used in Iran's nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs

2. Formal designation of Iran's construction sector as directly/indirectly IRGC-controlled

Prohibited Materials List (Coordinated with Treasury Department):

• Austenitic nickel-chromium alloys

• Magnesium alloys

• Sodium perchlorate

• Tungsten-copper alloys

• Aluminum plates/tubes

Enforcement Mechanisms:

• Mandatory sanctions will apply to any entity knowingly selling/supplying listed materials to/from Iran regardless of end-use

• Secondary sanctions imposed for transactions involving raw/semi-processed metals, graphite, coal, or industrial software if linked to Iran's construction sector

Policy Context:
The Biden administration continues "maximum economic pressure" to:
✓ Terminate Iran's nuclear threats
✓ Constrain ballistic missile development
✓ Curb terrorist group support

Diplomatic Backdrop:
These measures coincide with ongoing U.S.-Iran talks mediated by Oman regarding nuclear negotiations, while maintaining Trump-era "maximum pressure" policies reinstated via February presidential memorandum.