The U.S. Sanctions Several Individuals and Entities Linked to the Islamic Republic's Ballistic Missile Program

On Tuesday, June 6, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a network comprising 7 individuals and 6 entities in Iran, China, and Hong Kong in connection with the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program. According to OFAC's statement, this network facilitated financial transactions and provided critical components and technology necessary for key players in the development of the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program, including the Ministry of Defense and its affiliated organizations, Parchin Chemical Industries, the Aerospace Industries Organization, Iran Electronics Industries, and P B Sadr. OFAC emphasized that Parchin Chemical Industries is a central element of this network and a significant producer of munitions, explosives, and comprehensive propellants for missiles. Brian Nelson, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, "This action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to responding to destabilizing activities in the region and threats to the security of U.S. partners and allies." Mr. Nelson added that the United States will continue to identify and target illicit transnational networks that secretly support Iran's ballistic missile production program and other military programs. The sanctioned entities include: Zhejiang King Ji in China, which sold centrifuges and related equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to Parchin Chemical Industries through P B Sadr; Li Zhenming, an employee of that Chinese company, who personally facilitated the sale of centrifuges; Shen Weixing, the company's manager, who also assisted in centrifuge transactions; Lingo Process Engineering in Hong Kong, which acted as a front company for the Chinese firm; Blue Calm Marine, a transportation services company in Iran that facilitated equipment shipments; Kedo International Trading in Hong Kong; King Dao Zhong Rong Tong Development in China, which sold dual-use metals worth tens of millions of dollars to P B Sadr; Wei Zunyi, a resident of China who represented the Hong Kong company in the metal transactions; Qin Shoutong, the business manager of Kedo, who helped sell metals; Gong Jiao, a resident of China who also participated in metal sales; Beijing Shiny Knights Technology Development, based in China, which provided electronic equipment on behalf of Iranian parties; Qasem Haqiqat, an Iranian citizen residing in China, who worked as a manager and shareholder of Beijing Shiny Knights; and Davood Damghani, the Islamic Republic's defense attaché in Beijing, who coordinated the procurement of equipment. OFAC's statement noted that all assets and properties of these individuals and entities in the United States or assets held by others in the U.S. must be seized and confiscated.