Reuters reports that Iran has developed an elaborate network of more than 5,000 military agencies to import equipment despite US sanctions and a naval blockade.

“Iran has created a secret network of military agencies with global reach to import at least $2 billion in hardware, explosives and heavy-duty trucks since January 2025,” Reuters reported on Thursday. Reuters noted that shipping routes evaded “both the US naval blockade and Western sanctions.”

The outlet explained that the military equipment entering Iran includes parts for its missiles and drones. According to Reuters, Iran has continued to receive military equipment through shipping routes across the Caspian Sea, overland deliveries from Central Asia, and cargo flights from China.

The US is waging an extensive economic war against Iran and has also placed a blockade on Iranian ports. The White House believes the sanctions and blockade are pushing the Iranian economy to the brink of collapse. Some in the Trump administration believe that another short bombing campaign can now break the will to fight in Iran and force Tehran to make significant concessions at the negotiating table. 

Reuters reported that the network of agencies to import weapons has so far evaded the US Treasury Department. In response to the Reuters investigation, a Treasury spokesperson said the US “has severed the regime’s economic lifelines.”

They continued, “While the regime may continue its desperate attempts to evade our powerful sanctions, fund its military and weapons programs, and access foreign currency, we are always 10 steps ahead.”

While President Donald Trump and other top members of his administration claim that the Iranian military has been destroyed, US intelligence has estimated that most of Iran’s missiles and drones remain available for use.