US targets Iranian firms over nuclear programme

Tag : sodium perchlorate
WASHINGTON (July 09 2008): The US Treasury said on Tuesday it hasdesignated four Iranian firms for their ties to the country'snuclear and missile programs, a move that bans US companies fromdealing with them and freezes any assets they may have under USjurisdiction.

"Iran's nuclear and missile firms hide behind an array of agentsthat transact business on their behalf," said Stuart Levey, UnderSecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.Treasury designated Shahid Sattari Industries, which is involved inthe manufacturing and maintenance of ground support equipment forthe Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group.

Seventh of Tir was named for its ties to Iran's centrifugedevelopment program, and Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Groupwas listed for its relationship with Seventh of Tir, which itcontrols. The department also designated Parchin ChemicalIndustries, an element of Iran's Defence Industries Organization'schemical industries group and identified as the final recipient ofsodium perchlorate monohydrate, a chemical precursor for solidpropellant oxidizer, possibly to be used for ballistic missiles.

Treasury also identified four individuals: Dawood Agha-Jani, Moshen Hojati, Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi andNaser Maleki for the work they do at companies involved withnuclear and missiles firms.

The actions were taken under an executive order that allows theBush administration to ban transactions with proliferators of massdestruction and their supporters, and at isolating them from the USfinancial and commercial systems.

Copyright Reuters, 2008