The U.S. Commerce Department added five Iranian nuclear scientists this week to its Entity List for allegedly being involved in Iran’s pre-2004 nuclear-weapons program, known as the “Amad Plan,” and are still employed by the regime.
The Entity List contains foreign individuals who are subject to specific export licensing requirements.
The individuals are Aref Bali Lashak, Kamran Daneshjou, Ali Mehdipour Omrani, Sayyed Mohammad Mehdi Hadavi and Mehdi Teranchi.
“We have made clear to Iran that it must comply with its nuclear safeguard obligations and immediately provide the International Atomic Energy Agency nothing short of full cooperation, and the regime continues to refuse,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
“Iran’s nuclear escalation underscores the serious destabilization that the Iranian regime continues to cause in the region, and the threat posed to international peace and security,” he continued. “This Administration and the Department of Commerce are committed to taking the actions necessary to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
“Individuals working for Iran’s proliferation-sensitive programs should be aware of the reputational and financial risks to which they expose themselves,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “Iran’s scientists and technical experts have two paths: they can use their skills pursuing work on projects that do not pose a proliferation risk, or they can work for Iranian organizations pursuing proliferation-sensitive activities, with the financial and reputational risk such work entails.”
