The U.S. Sanctions 'Hekimian Shargh' Company for Involvement in Iran's Chemical Weapons Program

On Friday, the U.S. Department of State sanctioned the research company Hekimian Shargh due to its involvement in the research and development of chemical weapons for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. diplomatic corps, stated that the sanctions were imposed following Executive Order 13382 concerning proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters. According to him, the sanctions are due to the company's participation or attempted participation in activities or transactions that materially contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mr. Miller reminded that the sanctions were imposed after repeated requests from the U.S. government for Iran to rectify its non-compliance with the 'International Chemical Weapons Convention.' The U.S. State Department spokesperson added that based on Washington's assessment, the Islamic Republic has not complied with the convention since 2018 due to its failure to fully disclose its chemical activities and facilities. Matthew Miller further stated that in 2024, the Islamic Republic violated this convention due to the development of pharmaceutical agents as part of its chemical weapons program. He noted that the United States will continue to counter any efforts by the Islamic Republic to develop chemical weapons, including those that may be used to support destabilizing activities by Iran's proxies and partners. Just hours before the release of this statement, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department also added Hekimian Shargh to its list of 'specially designated nationals.' The Treasury Department's website listed the company's address on Azadegan Boulevard in Khomeini Shahr, Isfahan Province, and noted that it is subject to secondary sanctions. Most of the U.S. and allied sanctions against individuals and entities of the Islamic Republic in recent years have been due to its nuclear program, human rights violations, suppression of protesters, missile and drone programs, and military cooperation with Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic in response to 'new nuclear actions' and 'threats to change nuclear doctrine.' The U.S. sanctioned the money laundering network of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic. Several individuals and companies were sanctioned for 'aiding the Houthis, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.' The European Union imposed new sanctions against 9 individuals and entities; the commander of the Quds Force and the Minister of Defense were sanctioned. The U.S. sanctioned four entities and one individual active in the Islamic Republic's drone program. The European Union will sanction 9 individuals and entities affiliated with the Islamic Republic.