Supporting Snapback of UN Sanctions on Iran with Further Sanctions and Export Controls

Today, the Department of State is sanctioning 5 people and one entity related to Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, (additionally recognized by its Persian acronym SPND), which is the direct successor to Iran’s pre-2004 nuclear weapon program.  These actions observe the Department’s sanctions of three Iranian officers and one entity in May 2025 linked to Iranian nuclear-related analysis with potential army functions.

These sanctions actions reveal Iran’s persevering with makes an attempt to procure elements and applied sciences in assist of its proliferation actions that threaten U.S. and regional safety.  Iran’s proliferation actions highlighted at the moment emphasize the significance of the re-imposition of sanctions and different restrictions pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, and 1929 on September 27 in response to Iran’s “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments.  

The United States, as directed within the President’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 from February 4, is dedicated to denying Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon and we won’t hesitate to carry accountable non-Iranian entities that contribute to or in any other case assist Tehran’s proliferation applications in violation of UN restrictions.  

All Department of State targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters.  

The Department is designating the next entity and people pursuant to part 1(a)(ii) of E.O. 13382 for having engaged, or tried to have interaction, in actions or transactions which have materially contributed to, or pose a danger of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their technique of supply (together with missiles able to delivering such weapons), together with any efforts to fabricate, purchase, possess, develop, transport, switch or use such gadgets, by any individual or international nation of proliferation concern:  

• Reza Mozaffarinia is the present Director of SPND.  As the Director of SPND, Mozaffarinia has overseen SPND’s efforts to develop delicate applied sciences with potential nuclear weapons functions and purchase dual-use tools to assist SPND’s efforts.  Mozaffarinia was beforehand designated by the Department of the Treasury on May 23, 2013 pursuant to E.O. 13382 for performing for or on behalf of MODAFL.  On August 29, 2014, the Department of State designated SPND pursuant to E.O. 13382 for participating in or trying to have interaction in actions which have materially contributed to, or posed a danger of materially contributing to, the proliferation of WMD or their technique of supply.  
• Ali Fuladvand serves because the Head of the Research Directorate at SPND. In this function, Fuladvand has facilitated and directed SPND’s efforts to  acquire and advance delicate dual-use applied sciences and technical experience that may be utilized to nuclear weapons improvement. 
• Mohammad Reza Ghadir Zare Zaghalchi is a longtime SPND-affiliated official who has lately been appointed as head of U.S.-designated Shahid Fakhar Moghaddam Group (SFMG), an SPND-subordinate group with experience in radiation detection and neutron conduct.  Zaghalchi has supported efforts to procure delicate dual- use tools and applied sciences with direct functions to nuclear weapons improvement.  On March 22, 2019, the Department of the Treasury designated SFMG pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or managed by, or performing or purporting to behave for or on behalf of, immediately or not directly, SPND.  
• Andisheh Damavand International Technologies (DamavandTec) is an Iranian firm that has facilitated journey for Iranian nuclear specialists to Russia to pursue delicate dual-use applied sciences and experience and supported efforts to purchase superior dual-use tools. These applied sciences and capabilities might be relevant in nuclear weapons improvement. 

• Ali Kalvand is the CEO and Director of SPND cowl firm DamavandTec who, on behalf of SPND, has tried to acquire gadgets relevant to the event of nuclear explosive gadgets from international suppliers.  

• Ali Bakouei is an SPND affiliate, head of the division of atomic and molecular physics at Tarbiat Modares University, and Chair of DamavandTec. On behalf of SPND, he has tried to acquire gadgets relevant to the event of nuclear explosive gadgets from international suppliers.