Prison Sentence for American of Turkish Descent on Suspicion of Violating Iran-Related Laws

The head of a metals company in New York, suspected of attempting to export metal powder used in missile industries to Iran, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. According to Reuters, Erdal Kuyumcu, 45, was sentenced on Thursday, September 7, in a Brooklyn court for violating U.S. laws. Patrick Mullen, Kuyumcu's attorney, stated after the ruling, "It is clear that we are disappointed with the court's decision today and will seek available options." U.S. prosecutors have accused Kuyumcu, the CEO of Global Metallurgy LLC, of attempting to export over 450 grams of cobalt-nickel metal powder to Iran, a substance that can be used in aerospace, missile, and nuclear industries. The U.S. government has made the export of this powder conditional upon obtaining a license from the Treasury Department to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. According to prosecutors, Kuyumcu, who holds U.S. citizenship and has Turkish ancestry, conspired with another individual to conceal the final destination and intended to export it to Iran via Turkey. The U.S., which opposes Iran's missile and nuclear programs, agreed to lift some sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program under the JCPOA. However, the U.S. still lists Iran's military industries among its sanctions. Iran's ballistic missile program has faced severe criticism from the U.S., and officials in Donald Trump's administration insist that Iran's pursuit of missile tests violates the spirit of the JCPOA, while Iran claims it is not prohibited from testing missiles designed not to carry nuclear warheads according to the Security Council resolution. Although the U.S. government has confirmed Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement twice, it has imposed additional sanctions related to Iran's missile program each time. In response to these sanctions, Iranian officials and military leaders have repeatedly emphasized the expansion of the country's defense and missile program, with Iran's Minister of Defense recently stating that the Ministry of Defense is obligated to "increase missile capabilities within the framework of approved programs" and that "the twelfth government will continue this approach."