Three Iranian nationals and one Iranian entity with ties to the successor organization to Iran’s nuclear weapons program prior to 2004, were sanctioned by the U.S. State Department Monday.
The entities’ ties to the organization, called Iran’s Organization of Defense Innovation and Research (SPND), “materially contribute to, pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” according to a State Department press statement.
The sanctions come as President Donald Trump is touring the Middle East this week, starting with Oman to conduct the fourth round of negotiations with Tehran on a nuclear deal.
“Iran is the only country in the world without nuclear weapons that is producing uranium enriched to 60 percent and it continues to use front companies and procurement agents to obscure its efforts to acquire dual-use items from foreign suppliers,” the statement said. “Today’s actions demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.”
