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December 22, 2023

This month’s newsletter features a report on the history of Iran’s nuclear
program, containing an overview of nuclear infrastructure, undeclared
sites, key institutions and personnel, and the foreign assistance Iran has
received, as well as international sanctions and export controls targeting
the nuclear program.

The newsletter also includes profiles of several entities that were
recently removed from the U.N. sanctions list but are still involved in
proliferation-related activities, as well as news about Iran's launch of a
biocapsule and the U.S.-led effort to defend ships transiting the Red Sea
against Houthi attacks. Additions to the Iran Watch library include U.N.
documents related to the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231
as well as sanctions announcements by the European Union, United Kingdom,
and United States.

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your inbox, or [3]view the newsletter in your browser.

PUBLICATIONS

[4]Entrance to Fordow

Entrance to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. (Credit: Islamic Republic
News Agency)

Background Report | [5]A History of Iran's Nuclear Program

Iran is a nuclear threshold state. Although it has long maintained that its
nuclear program is benign and authorized by its membership as a non-nuclear
weapon state in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the country has
undertaken decades of nuclear work in secret, in violation of its NPT
obligations.

This background report provides an overview of Iran's nuclear history,
including its past weaponization efforts. It also includes information on
Iran's nuclear-related infrastructure, undeclared sites, key institutions
and personnel, the foreign assistance it has received, and the
international sanctions and export controls targeting Iran's nuclear
program.

[6]READ THE BACKGROUND REPORT

ENTITIES OF CONCERN

In October, targeted U.N. sanctions against 84 Iranian individuals and
entities expired, in accordance with the provisions of Security Council
resolution 2231. The list includes prominent entities that are still
involved in proliferation-related activities.

[7]Qods Aviation Industries

An Iranian company that designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs); has reportedly supplied UAVs to all branches of the Iranian
military and buyers in Africa and Latin America.

[8]LEARN MORE

[9]Pars Aviation Services

An Iranian aircraft supply and repair company; reportedly owned
by [10]Bonyad Taavon Sepah on behalf of the [11]Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force; subsidiaries have included [12]Pouya Air (Yas
Air).

[13]LEARN MORE

[14]Malek Ashtar University

An Iranian university subordinate to the [15]Defense Technology and Science
Research Center (DTSRC); supports the education and research and
development needs of the Iranian [16]Ministry of Defense Armed Forces
Logistics (MODAFL); faculty members have conducted research relevant to
missiles and nuclear power.

[17]LEARN MORE

IN THE NEWS

[18]Salman rocket with biocapsule

The Salman rocket, derived from a Shahab-2 missile, equipped with a
biocapsule. (Credit: Project Meshkat via X)

[19]U.S. Launches Red Sea Force as Ships Reroute to Avoid Attacks | Reuters

December 19, 2023: The United States launched a multilateral task force to
safeguard commerce in the Red Sea in the face of repeated attacks by
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Countries joining the U.S.-led
operation included Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain,
and the United Kingdom. The Houthis have threatened to target Israeli ships
as well as those heading to Israeli ports. The attacks have prompted oil
companies such as BP and Frontline's as well as shipping firms such as
Maersk to divert shipments around the Red Sea.

[20]Iranian Bioscience Capsule Successfully Launched by Indigenous Salman
Launcher | Tasnim News Agency

December 6, 2023: Iran launched a 500-kilogram biocapsule, developed by the
Aerospace Research Institute, into space. The capsule, which reached an
altitude of 130 kilometers before returning to Earth, was carried by a
rocket called Salman, produced by the Aerospace Industries Organization
(AIO).

FROM THE LIBRARY

The U.N. Security Council held a biannual meeting to review the
implementation of resolution 2231.
* The U.N. secretary general issued his [21]sixteenth six-month report on
2231 implementation, which gave particular attention to Iran's
proliferation of missile and drone technologies to Russia and Yemen –
December 15.
* France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a [22]joint statement
reiterating their determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear
weapon – December 18.

The United States and European Union adopted new restrictive measures
targeting Iran's UAV program.
* The European Union [23]sanctioned six individuals and five entities
that make or procure components for Iranian UAVs. These were the first
listings under [24]a new framework adopted in July in view of Iran's
military support for Russia – December 11.
* The U.S. Treasury Department [25]sanctioned a procurement network of 10
entities and four individuals based in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and
Indonesia, led by Hossein Hatefi Ardakani – December 19.
* The U.S. Justice Department also [26]unsealed an indictment charging
Ardakani and co-defendant Gary Lam with crimes related to the procurement
of U.S.-manufactured dual-use microelectronics for the IRGC – December 19.

The United Kingdom and United States announced new sanctions directed at
Iran's support for proxy groups in the region.
* A new [27]U.K. sanction regime for Iran came into force, and the first
designations included members of the IRGC Qods Force and its operations in
Gaza – December 14.
* The U.S. Treasury Department [28]announced sanctions aimed at
disrupting a network of exchange houses in Lebanon, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates, and Yemen facilitating financial support for the Houthis –
December 7.

Iran Watch is a website published by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms
Control. The Wisconsin Project is a non-profit, non-partisan organization
that conducts research, advocacy, and public education aimed at inhibiting
strategic trade from contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction.

Copyright © 2023 - Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control

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