Sanctions reveal what Iran tries to buy, where
US black list allows peek into fraud war Islamic Republic is waging against West in bid to advance its nuclear, missile programs
WASHINGTON – A glance though the list of Iranian companies and organizations that the American administration placed Wednesday on its black list shows the fraud war being waged by Iran against the West in a bid to promote its nuclear program and its ballistic missiles program.
The extended US sanctions come just two days after the EU also instated an embargo on Iranian companies in order to further intensify the fourth sanctions package issued against the Islamic Republic by the UN.
The list shows that the Iranian Post Bank plays a central roll in transferring funds to its missile plan, and that its importance only increased once Bank Sepah was placed on the US black list and the UN under the 2007 sanctions. Among other things, the Post Bank offers financial services around the world for procurement towards its ballistic program.
Behind the efforts to expose Iran's activities stands Treasury Department under secretary Stuart Levey and his staff. Levey, for instance, revealed that the Iranian Post Bank transferred millions of dollars between the company Hong Kong Electronics and those availing themselves of the bank's services, including the North Korean organizations bankrolling Pyongyang's arms industries. Hong Kong Electronics was blacklisted by the US precisely one year ago.
In addition, companies and organizations that Russia and China blocked from being included in the Security Council sanctions were placed on the black list, mainly groups associated with Iran's air force and the Revolutionary Guard's missile operations, which are spearheading the advancement of Iran's ballistic missile program.
Companies such as Rah Sahel and Sepanir Oil and Gas Engineering Company have been targeted, as well as two subsidiaries of the building conglomerate Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, a holding company believed to raise significant funds for the Revolutionary Guards.
Nuke technology bought on international markets
Khatam al-Anbiya is involved in paving roads and tunnels, as well as projects for water transport. It is also involved in increasing the Revolutionary Guards' hold in the Iranian financial, commercial, and energy sectors.
Two Iranian figures were also placed on the US black list – Revolutionary Guard Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari and notorious Basij Commander Mohammad Reza Naqdi.
Another organization placed on the US black list is Javedan Mehr Toos, an engineering company that made procurements for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran after Kalaye Electric Company was blacklisted in 2007 for research and development of centrifuges.
Since 2009, according to the US Treasury Department, Javedan Mehr Toos has acquired nuclear-related equipment in international markets, including magnets vital to centrifuge operations, special converters and tools for measuring pressure during the uranium enrichment process.
Two central figures in Iran's nuclear program were also put on the list: Javad Karimi Sabet and Ahmad Vahidi.
Special attention was given to Iran's national shipping company, Irisl, which is running a subversion scheme to evade sanctions by changing the names and ownership listing of its freightliners. Sanctions were extended to 27 Iranian trade vessels in addition to the 71 already on the list. One of the shipping companies blacklisted Wednesday, Hafiz Darya Shipping Co., handles IRISL's container-shipping business, US officials said.
