The US State Department also issued a statement about today's large OFAC update:
Media Note
Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCAugust 29, 2014
The Administration imposed sanctions today on a series of companies and individuals under various Iran-related authorities targeting those engaged in proscribed activities. These actions underscore U.S. resolve to enforce sanctions as the P5+1 and Iran work toward a comprehensive solution to address the international community’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. As part of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which was extended in July, the P5+1 committed to providing Iran with limited, temporary, and targeted sanctions relief in return for important steps Iran took to constrain its nuclear program. The Department of State today imposed sanctions on a series of entities providing support to illicit Iranian nuclear activities. The Department of the Treasury announced additional actions under its authorities as well. Today’s actions target sanctionable activity beyond the scope of the relief offered to Iran as part of the JPOA.
Actions Targeting Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Proliferators and Their Supporters
As part of these combined actions, the Department of State imposed sanctions on four companies pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382 for engaging in or attempting to engage in activities that have materially contributed to, or posed a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of WMD or their means of delivery. The Department of State’s designations comprise Iran-based entities engaged in efforts to support the development of nuclear weapons, or elements of Iran’s program that could be used to produce nuclear weapons.
Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research:
The Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) is a Tehran-based entity that is primarily responsible for research in the field of nuclear weapons development. SPND was established in February 2011 by the UN-sanctioned individual Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who for many years has managed activities useful in the development of a nuclear explosive device. Fakhrizadeh led such efforts in the late 1990s or early 2000s, under the auspices of the “AMAD Plan, the MODAFL subsidiary Section for Advanced Development Applications and Technologies (SADAT) and Malek Ashtar University of Technology (MUT). In February 2011, Fakhrizadeh left MUT to establish SPND. Fakhrizadeh was designated in UNSCR 1747 (2007) and by the United States in July 2008 for his involvement in Iran’s proscribed WMD activities. SPND took over some of the activities related to Iran’s undeclared nuclear program that had previously been carried out by Iran’s Physics Research Center, the AMAD Plan, MUT, and SADAT.
Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute:
Iran’s Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI) implements projects in the nuclear field, specifically at Iran’s 40-megawatt heavy water research reactor at Arak (the IR-40) – a reactor that, as presently designed, would provide Iran the capability to produce plutonium from the reactor’s spent fuelthe could be used in nuclear weapons. NSTRI has engaged with Modern Industries Technique Company (MITEC), an Iranian entity is responsible for design and construction of the IR-40, to produce lead glass for the hot cell facilities at the IR-40. This project would allow Iran, when reprocessing spent fuel, to contain radiation using high-density concrete walls to enclose the primary containment area, known as a “hot cell.” Hot cells with thick radiation shielding and leaden glass for direct viewing are adequate for research-scale plutonium extraction. NSTRI is a subordinate to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), which is the primary Iranian organization responsible for nuclear technology research and development activities and was designated by the UNSC in resolution 1737 (2006) and by the United States in the annex to E.O. 13382. Further, MITEC was designated by the UNSC in resolution 1929 (2010) for its involvement in the design and construction of the IR-40, and by the United States pursuant to E.O. 13382 in November 2011 for providing services to the AEOI.
Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars and Mandegar Baspar Kimiya Company:
Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars (Jahan Tech) and Mandegar Baspar Kimiya Company (Mandegar Baspar) are Iran-based entities involved in the procurement of proliferation-sensitive material, specifically carbon fiber, for proscribed elements of Iran’s nuclear program. Since early 2010 and as recently as 2013, Jahan Tech and Mandegar Baspar have attempted to procure high-strength carbon fiber from Asia-based suppliers, some of which is controlled for export pursuant to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Guidelines and is proscribed for export to Iran by UNSCR 1737. Among other uses, high-strength carbon fiber is suitable for the production of advanced centrifuge rotors, as well as for forming components that increase the range and payload capability of ballistic missiles. The Panel of Experts established pursuant to UNSCR 1929 (2010) noted in its May 2014 report that Iran has been attempting to procure high-grade carbon fiber for use in manufacturing of some of its centrifuge rotors. The Washington Post in 2013 documented Jahan Tech’s efforts to acquire 100,000 highly specialized magnets used in centrifuge machines – a quantity that could outfit 50,000 new centrifuges. Iranian private sector firms should heed the risks incurred by conducting business with those who support Iran’s proscribed nuclear activities and choose to focus their activities on legitimate international commerce. The United States will continue to investigate additional companies making material contributions to the Iranian government’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery
Actions Targeting Persons Engaging with the Energy or Petrochemical Sectors of Iran
Also today, the Department of State imposed sanctions pursuant to the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) on Goldentex FZE, a UAE-based company involved in providing support to Iran’s shipping sector.
IFCA mandates, among other things, the imposition of sanctions on individuals and companies determined to have knowingly transferred to or from Iran significant goods or services used in connection with the energy or shipping sector of Iran, including the National Iranian Oil Company or the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC).
In addition, the Department of State took action to impose sanctions on Italy-based Dettin SpA pursuant to the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (ISA), as amended by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (TRA). According to information available to the United States, Dettin SpA knowingly providing Iran’s petrochemical industry with goods and support whose value exceeded $250,000. Although the JPOA authorizes Iran to export petrochemicals, providing goods, services, and support for the maintenance or expansion of Iran’s domestic production of petrochemicals is not within the scope of sanctions relief under the JPOA and, therefore, remains sanctionable.
These sanctions send a clear message that the United States will act resolutely against attempts to circumvent U.S. sanctions. Individuals and companies providing support to illicit Iranian nuclear activities program or engaged in assisting Iran’s efforts to evade U.S. sanctions will face serious consequences.
Identifier Information
Name: The Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research
AKA: SPND
Address: Negarestan 3, off of Pasdaran Street, Tehran, Iran
Name: The Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute
AKA: NSTRI
AKA: Research Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
AKA: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute
AKA: Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center
Address: P.O. Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran
Address: P.O. Box 14399-51113, Tehran, Iran
Address: North Karegar Ave., P.O. Box 14399/51113, Tehran, Iran
Address: Moazzen Blvd. Rajaee Shahr, Karaj, Iran, P.O. Box 31485-498
Address: End of Karegare Shomali Street, P.O. Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran
Name: Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars
AKA: Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars Company
AKA: Jahan Tech
Address: B18, Takhte-e-Jamshid Building, Science and Technology Park, Shiraz, Iran
Name: Mandegar Baspar Kimiya Company
AKA: Mandegar Baspar Fajr Asia
AKA: Bardiya Tejarat Javid
Address: No. 510, 5th Floor, Saddi Trading Building, South SAA DI Street, Tehran, Iran
Name: Goldentex FZE
Address: M05 Bin Thani BLD, Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Road, Burdubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Name: Dettin SpA
Address: Via Campania, 9 – 36015 Schio (4543N 11221E) Italy
[This is a mobile copy of Additional Sanctions Imposed by the Department of State Targeting Iranian Proliferators]Short URL: http://m.state.gov/md231159.htm
So… do these designations imply anything about the progress with the P5+1 talks with Iran over its nuclear program? Hmmm…
Link:
State Department press release