The United States has just announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program. These sanctions focus on five companies and one person, all based in Iran, that are believed to be helping Iran develop nuclear technology. The U.S. says these groups support two major organizations: the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and a company called Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, also known as TESA.
Both AEOI and TESA are deeply involved in making parts and machines that help enrich uranium—a process that can be used to make nuclear energy, but also nuclear weapons. According to U.S. officials, this action is part of a wider campaign to stop Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon.
The sanctions are part of Executive Order 13382. This is a U.S. law that punishes people and groups who help build or spread weapons of mass destruction, like nuclear bombs. By using this law, the U.S. can freeze any assets these companies or individuals have in the U.S., and block them from doing business with American people or companies.
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Centrifuge Makers and Their Key Suppliers
TESA is one of the most important companies in Iran when it comes to making centrifuges. These are machines used to spin and enrich uranium, which can be used in nuclear reactors or, if highly enriched, in nuclear bombs. Because of this, the U.S. has had its eye on TESA for a long time. The company was first sanctioned back in 2011.
This week, the U.S. announced it is sanctioning two more companies for helping TESA. One is an engineering company that helped TESA get parts and materials from outside Iran. The other is a metal company that makes aluminum parts used in making centrifuges. These two companies have been accused of helping TESA quietly get the pieces it needs to build nuclear equipment.
Also, a person closely linked to the engineering company is now facing sanctions. He helped manage deals and made sure the needed parts were shipped to TESA. Because of this support, he is now blocked from doing any business with the U.S. and could face more penalties if found violating U.S. laws.
More Iranian Companies Tied to Nuclear Work
Aside from TESA, the U.S. is also turning its attention to other companies that work closely with AEOI. These companies are said to be part of Iran’s bigger effort to develop nuclear power, but also may have the ability to support weapon-making in the future.
One of the newly formed companies is working on something called thorium reactor technology. This is a type of nuclear fuel system that can produce a special kind of uranium. Although thorium can be used for peaceful energy, it also raises concerns because it can create materials used in weapons.
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Another company is involved in building nuclear reactors. This group is officially under the control of AEOI and is said to be handling several projects in Iran.
A third company is a large industrial contractor. It builds equipment for power plants and is now said to be producing tools and machines for nuclear power plants specifically. This company is also tied directly to AEOI, which is why it’s now under U.S. sanctions.
These three companies are being targeted because they are owned or controlled by AEOI, which the U.S. says plays a central role in Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
With this new wave of sanctions, the U.S. is making it clear that any person or company helping Iran’s nuclear program could face serious consequences. All of the companies and individuals named in the sanctions now have their assets in the U.S. frozen. They are also banned from doing business with American companies or people.
Additionally, if other companies around the world do business with these blocked groups, they might face penalties too. The goal of these steps, according to the U.S., is to prevent any chance of Iran building a nuclear weapon and to keep the region and the world more secure.
