Treasury identified the sanctioned firms as the Nuclear Research Center
for Agriculture and Medicine, also known as the Karaj Nuclear Research
Center; Esfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center; Jabber Ibn
Hayan; Safety Equipment Procurement Co., and Joza Industrial Co. Officials
said all five entities were working with Teheran's nuclear and missile
programs and acting as fronts for Iranian companies already under U.S. or
United Nations sanctions.
Officials said Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine as
well as Jabber Ibn Hayan have been working for the Atomic Energy
Organization of Iran. AEOI, responsible for Iran's nuclear program,
including uranium enrichment, came
under U.S. sanctions in 2005.
In an Aug. 12 statement, Treasury said Nuclear Research Center for
Agriculture and Medicine develops nuclear fuel and participates in uranium
enrichment. The center's facility at Karaj, operating since 2005, was said
to be capable of producing most of the uranium compounds needed for fuel
cycle activities.
Jabber Ibn Hayan was said to be involved in nuclear research and
development. Officials said Jabber also provided laboratory services for
AEOI's nuclear production division.
The remaining Iranian companies were said to be involved in Teheran's
ballistic missile development program. Treasury said Safety Equipment
Procurement was ordered to use front companies to acquire foreign technology
and raw material for Iran's Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile.
Joza was identified as a front company ordered to purchase material for
Iran's missile industry. Officials said Iran's Shahid Hemmat Industrial
Group has employed a series of fronts to procure sensitive goods from
European firms.