The U.S. Department of State has imposed sanctions on three Iranian nationals and one Iranian entity linked to Iran's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its Persian acronym SPND. This organization is considered the direct successor to Iran's pre-2004 nuclear weapons program, also referred to as the Amad Project. The sanctioned individuals are involved in activities that contribute or pose a risk of contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Iran continues to expand its nuclear program significantly and engages in dual-use research applicable to nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Notably, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state producing uranium enriched to 60 percent. It employs front companies and procurement agents to obscure efforts in acquiring dual-use items from foreign suppliers.
The United States aims through these actions to delay and degrade SPND's ability to conduct nuclear weapons research and development. "Today’s actions demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon," stated the Department of State.
These measures were taken under Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters.
