AFP: The United States announced Friday sanctions against seven foreign firms, including the Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi, for providing Iran with materiel that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction or missile systems. WASHINGTON, Aug 4, 2006 (AFP) – The United States announced Friday sanctions against seven foreign firms, including the Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi, for providing Iran with materiel that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction or missile systems.
The sanctions, which came into effect on July 28, also hit Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, two Indian companies, a Cuban entity and two North Korean firms, the State Department said.
The measure, imposed for an initial period of two years, bars US government agencies from purchasing any goods or services or providing any assistance to the seven firms.
It also bars the sale of sensitive military equipment, services or technologies to the companies or any of their subsidiaries.
The sanctions were ordered under the 2000 Iran Nonproliferation Act which aims to prevent the sale to Iran of controlled equipment and technology “having the potential to make a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or cruise or ballistic missile systems”.
In addition to Sukhoi and Rosoboronexport, the Russian monopoly arms exporter, the sanctions targetted Balaji Amines and Prachi Poly Products of India; Cuba’s Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; and the North Korean firms Korean Mining and Industrial Development Corporation (KOMID) and Korea Pugang Trading Corporation, the State Department said.
