The United States and 46 Other Countries Support Maintaining Sanctions Related to Resolution 2231

On Wednesday, October 18, the United States and 46 other countries issued a statement reaffirming their joint commitment to taking all necessary actions to prevent the supply, sale, or transfer of items, materials, equipment, goods, and technologies related to Iran's ballistic missiles. These countries also expressed their full support for the European Union's decision to maintain nuclear, conventional weapons, and missile restrictions on the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the statement, Iran's missile program remains one of the greatest challenges to international efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran possesses the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, and its ballistic missile programs continue to pose a threat to regional countries and beyond. They consider the provision of missile and drone technology by the Islamic Republic to its partners and proxy forces as a danger to international stability and an increase in tensions in the region. The 47 countries referenced the expiration of the restrictions outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program, stating that the resolution was based on the assumption that Tehran would take all necessary steps to build confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, which it has failed to do. On the same day, the four U.S. departments of Commerce, State, Treasury, and Justice issued a recommendation to warn individuals and businesses worldwide about activities related to the procurement of Iran's ballistic missiles. This recommendation includes five sections detailing deceptive techniques used by ballistic missile procurement networks, entities related to the ballistic missile program, key goods used in the missile program, relevant U.S. sanctions and responsible officials in export control, and minimizing sanctions and export control risks. According to this recommendation, Iran's deceptive techniques include attempts to conceal the identities of end-users through transaction layering, document forgery, using third countries for transport, and financing schemes. The Shahid Bakri and Shahid Hemmat industrial groups have been identified as entities related to the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program. The statement notes that special types of equipment and production and testing materials, raw materials, electronic equipment, and guidance, navigation, and control equipment are key goods used in the Islamic Republic's missile program. The United States is committed to countering the development and proliferation of Iran's ballistic missiles, including efforts related to their procurement, and will hold accountable those contributing to Iran's ballistic missile program. The joint statement from the four U.S. departments indicated that the purpose of issuing the recommendation is to assist businesses in implementing effective policies, procedures, and internal controls related to Iran's ballistic missile program to ensure their compliance with applicable U.S. legal requirements. The U.S. has sanctioned 20 individuals and entities related to Iran's missile and drone program. Australia has sanctioned 3 individuals and 11 Iranian entities for their involvement in the Islamic Republic's weapons program. The UK maintains nuclear and missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The U.S. State Department stated that sanctions remain in place to counter the development of Iran's weapons. Michael McCaul has called for the extension of Iran's missile sanctions; Russia claims it no longer sees the need to comply with UN Security Council resolutions regarding the Islamic Republic's missile program. Borrell stated that disagreements over the implementation of the JCPOA remain unresolved.