U.S. sanctions five Iranian entities over nuclear work
Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—The US Department of Treasury today imposed sanctions on five more Iranian entities, saying they have ties to that country’s disputed nuclear and missile programs.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
15:55GMT—11:55AM/EST
US – IRAN – SANCTIONS
Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—The US Department of Treasury today imposed sanctions on five more Iranian entities, saying they have ties to that country’s disputed nuclear and missile programs.
US Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Stuart Levey, said: “These five nuclear and missile entities have been used by Iran to hide its illicit conduct and further its dangerous nuclear ambitions.”
The entities include: The Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine, The Esfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center, Jabbar Ibn Hayan, Safety Equipment Produrement Company, and the Joza Industrial Company.
The move freezes any assets that these entities may have in the U.S., and prohibits them from doing business with Americans.
Washington has already blacklisted numerous Iranian entities for their alleged support of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Among these are several of Iran’s state banks, including Bank Melli, Bank Mellat and Bank Saderat. Iran’s Revolution Guards Corps have also been designated as a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction.
“Responsible financial institutions and businesses worldwide are taking steps to avoid doing business with Iranian nuclear and missile entities, as well as with the front companies and cut-outs the Iranian regime uses to disguise its activities,” Levey said today.
Western powers accuse Iran of using the guise of a civilian nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran strongly denies, insisting its aims are only peaceful.
The U.S., Britain, France and Germany are considering imposing additional sanctions against Iran that would likely go beyond the next round of United Nations Security Council sanctions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that sanctions and threats against Iran have “benefitted” the country, the semi-official ISNA news agency reports.
“All the progress was achieved while the Islamic Republic of Iran was under sanctions and these sanctions have ended up benefitting the Islamic system," Khamenei said, speaking alongside Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Sources: US Treasury Department website, ISNA in Persian
© IranVNC 2008. All rights reserved.