[1]

February 28, 2024

This month’s newsletter features an analysis of two recent U.S.
interdiction operations off the coast of Yemen. The operations, which
turned up components of ballistic and anti-ship missiles and waterborne
drones, present compelling evidence that Iran continues to violate the
United Nations arms embargo on the Houthis. The newsletter also features
new and updated background resources on Iran’s missile program, including
an extensive image library.

In addition, the newsletter includes profiles of a network facilitating the
supply of parts for Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, as well
as news about Iran’s reported ballistic missile transfers to Russia, its
use of British banks for evading oil sanctions, and a new research reactor
under construction at Isfahan. Additions to the Iran Watch library include
official statements detailing U.S.-led efforts to cut off Iran’s support
for the Houthis, disrupt Iran’s UAV- and missile-related procurement
efforts, and respond to attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

Was this email forwarded to you? [2]Sign up to receive the newsletter in
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PUBLICATIONS

[4]Items seized by CENTCOM on January 11

Items seized in a January 11 interdiction operation. (Credit: U.S. Central
Command)

International Enforcement Action | [5]U.S. Interdictions Highlight Iran's
Continuing Arms Transfers to Yemen

In January, U.S. forces conducted two operations to stop vessels smuggling
lethal aid from Iran to Yemen. The interdictions took place against a
backdrop of ongoing Houthi missile and drone attacks against ships in the
Red Sea, highlighting the role Iran has played in enabling the Houthis'
assault on global commerce. The transfers are also a violation of the arms
embargo imposed on the Houthis by U.N. Security Council resolution 2216.

[6]READ THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION

[7]

A Fateh-family ballistic missile is fired from an IRGC Navy vessel.
(Credit: IRIB News Broadcast)

Weapon Program Background Report | [8]Image Library of Iranian Missiles

The Iran Watch website has a new background resource: an image library
containing photos of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and space launch
vehicles that Iran has displayed or developed. The image library
complements the [9]Table of Iran’s Missile Arsenal and [10]Missile
Milestones resources, both of which have been updated to reflect new
developments through February 2024.

[11]VIEW THE IMAGE LIBRARY

ENTITIES OF CONCERN

In 2023, the United States sanctioned a network of Chinese and Turkish
entities led by [12]Yun Xia Yuan facilitating the procurement of UAV
components by [13]Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA).

[14]Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Co., Ltd.

A China-based import-export company; according to the Treasury Department,
has worked with Yun Xia Yuan to facilitate the supply of aerospace-grade
radar altimeter systems, GPS and VHF antennas, sensors, and other hardware
with possible UAV applications to HESA.

[15]LEARN MORE

[16]Dong Wenbo

A Chinese businessman who controls [17]Guilin Alpha Rubber and Plastics
Technology Co., Ltd; according to the Treasury Department, has represented
Guilin Alpha in the sale of aircraft brake disks to HESA.

[18]LEARN MORE

[19]Alaaddin Aykut

A Turkey-based money exchanger; with [20]Mehmet Tokdemir, has facilitated
U.S. dollar- and euro-denominated financial transactions worth hundreds of
thousands of dollars in support of HESA's procurement from Chinese
suppliers.

[21]LEARN MORE

IN THE NEWS

[22]

A Lloyds bank branch in Manchester. (Credit: Moneybright via Flickr)

[23]Iran Sends Russia Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles | Reuters

February 21, 2024: Iran has reportedly provided Russia with around 400
surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and plans to provide more, according
to six anonymous sources. The shipments began in early January and have
included the Zolfaghar missile, which can reach a distance of 700
kilometers.

[24]Iran Used Lloyds and Santander Accounts to Evade Sanctions | Financial
Times

February 5, 2024: Iran's state-owned Petrochemical Commercial Company (PCC)
has used British front companies to open bank accounts and conduct
transactions at Lloyds and Santander banks, according to a journalistic
investigation. Pisco UK is a company owned by British national
Abdollah-Siauash Fahimi, but Fahimi is a former director of PCC's UK
subsidiary, PCC UK, who agreed to own the company on PCC's behalf.
Similarly, Aria Associates is nominally owned by Mohamed Ali Rejal, who is
deputy chief executive of PCC UK. Both companies have received payments
from Chinese firms, including Black Tulip Trading China, on PCC's behalf.
PCC and PCC UK are both sanctioned by the United States, and PCC has held
contracts with companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC), including the Turkey-based company ASB.

[25]Iran Starts Construction of Fourth Nuclear Reactor in Isfahan: AEOI |
Islamic Republic News Agency

February 5, 2024: The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran,
Mohammad Eslami, said that workers had begun pouring concrete for the
foundation of a 10-megawatt research reactor at the Isfahan nuclear
technology center. Eslami visited the site to attend the inauguration
ceremony of a unit for producing Tellurium hexafluoride (TeF6), a
radioisotope with medical uses.

FROM THE LIBRARY

The United States and its partners sought to disrupt Iran’s ongoing support
to the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.
* The Defense Intelligence Agency published a [26]report illustrating the
Iranian origins of Houthi missiles and UAVs – February 6.
* U.S. Central Command [27]announced the seizure of another shipment of
weapons headed for Yemen, while the Justice Department [28]charged four
Pakistani mariners who were arrested during a previous interdiction
operation – February 15 and 22.
* The [29]United States and the [30]United Kingdom sanctioned several
entities supporting or enabling the Houthis, including deputy Quds Force
commander Mohammad Reza Falahzadeh – February 27.

The United States announced several efforts targeting Iran’s international
procurement of missile and UAV components and its transfers of UAVs to
Russia.
* The Treasury Department [31]sanctioned several Russian companies and
individuals as well as a United Arab Emirates-based front company for
supporting a facility used to produce Iranian-designed drones in Russia –
February 23.
* The Justice Department [32]announced the indictment of Abolfazl and
Mohammad Resa Bazzazi, who led a scheme to procure U.S.-made “aeronautical
ground support equipment” for end users in Iran – February 7.
* The Treasury Department [33]sanctioned front companies in Hong Kong
supplying parts for Shahed-series UAVs to [34]Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar
Boshra (PKGB) – February 2.
* The Justice Department [35]indicted four Chinese nationals for
smuggling U.S.-made missile and UAV components to Iranian entities with
ties to the IRGC between 2007 and 2020 – January 31.

The United States responded to Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria
following [36]a drone attack that killed three U.S. troops stationed in
Jordan and wounded 34 others.
* U.S. forces [37]struck more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria
affiliated with the IRGC Quds Force and affiliated militia groups –
February 2.
* They also [38]conducted an airstrike in Baghdad killing Kata’ib
Hezbollah leader Abu Baqir al Saadi – February 7.
* The Treasury Department [39]sanctioned entities in Lebanon and Turkey
providing support to the IRGC Quds Force and Hizballah by selling Iranian
commodities to the Syrian government – January 29.

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 © 2024 - Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control

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