UANI

"The Persian Gulf country will buy two Ukrainian-made Antonov-158s, after a test flight of the aircraft earlier this month, Mohammad-Ali Sirati, managing director of the Iranian aircraft company, was cited as saying by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. The countries then will start to jointly build the aircraft next year, Sirati, whose company will be in charge of the project, said in Tehran yesterday. Some 30 percent of each plane will be made in Iran, state-run media reported." (Business Week, "Iran Says Antonov-158 Built With Ukraine May Fly in 2013," 10/6/2011)

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Antonov lists on its website that their AN-24 turboprop aircraft is serially produced at HESA plant in Isfahan, Iran. (Antonov website)

"This license authorized DynCorp, a United States contractor in Afghanistan, to ship supplies through Iran to Afghanistan for Afghanistan's Central Poppy Eradication Force." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

KGL labels itself "the premier provider of integrated Supply Chain Management services in the Middle East, fulfilling the Transportation, Logistics, Port Management, Shipping and Freight Forwarding needs of countless regional and international clients" (Company Website). KGL is a major contractor for the U.S. Defense Department in the Persian Gulf (USASpending.gov).

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"One issue Kirk has been pushing in recent days concerns the huge contracts between the Defense Department and Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), which may have ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), an entity long accused of operating a web of shell companies to evade sanctions, and three other Iranian companies already on the banned list of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). KGL was recently awarded a nearly $750 million contract by the U.S. Army and another $42 million sole-source contract by the Defense Logistics Agency. Kirk now wants to know if the U.S. military is indirectly putting money into Iranian government coffers." (Foreign Policy. "David Cohen nomination back on track," 6/27/11)

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"A Kuwaiti shipping company that has done more than $1 billion in business with the U.S. military has also had ties to one of the men indicted in New York Monday for his alleged role in an international conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran. Members of Congress have for months been asking the Pentagon if the defense contractor Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport (KGL) may be secretly doing business with Iranian front companies, and those questions took on fresh urgency Monday with the 317-count indictment. Among those indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance was Moghaddami Fard, an Iranian man whose name appears on dozens of emails with top KGL executives, and who sat on the five-member board of directors of a company that was partially owned by KGL." (ABC News. "U.S. Gave Military Contracts to Firm With Alleged Iran Ties," 6/21/11)

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KGL’s business activity in Iran can be seen primarily through its connection to Combined Shipping Company, which is a joint venture with Valfajr-Shipping Company, an Iranian-owned entity that OFAC added to the SDN list in 2008. In addition, in 2005, KGL TC revealed that KGL Port Management Company made an offer to the Iranian Ports authority to operate the Bandar Abbas port in Iran.” (Zawya, “KGL Port Management Negotiating with Iran for Operating Bandar Abbas Port,” 4/16/2005)

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The Combined Shipping Company KSCC “is a joint venture between the ‘Kuwait and Gulf Link holding Co.’ -(KGL), one of the most prominent investors in the field of transport, logistics and technical services in the Middle East and the Iranian ‘VALFAJR-Shipping Company’ a subsidiary of IRISL Group, the main Iranian sea transporter for passengers and cargo in the Gulf region and worldwide.” (Archived Website)

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In 2010, KGL’s most recent activity in Iran involved “upgrad[ing] and “enlarg[ing] its fleet for passengers transport operations by 400 percent to include 750 buses in anticipation of new contracts [with Iran] in the future.” Presumably, this would be followed by an increase in business operations in the area. According to the Arab Times, KGL “[has a] special presence [in Iran] that has contributed to its capabilities to execute many transport and logistics contracts covering different sectors and industrial segments, including critical and sensitive sectors. (Arab Times, “KGL Moves to Boost Presence in Iran After Upgrade,” 3/7/2010)

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In 2008, IRISL and 18 of its subsidiaries (including Valfajr) were added to the SDN list for “facilitating shipments of military cargo destined for the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and its subordinate entities, including organizations that have been designated by the United Nations Security Council in Resolutions 1737 and 1747.” (US Department of State, Designation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and Subsidiaries for Proliferation Activities, September 11, 2008)

Headquarted in France, Eurocopter is a subsidiary of the global aerospace and defense company EADS. Eurocopter is one of the world's leading helicopter manufacturers.

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“Since the European Union does not impose restrictions on sales of civil products to Iran, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland market their products in the country, but the US sanctions restrict the Europeans’ offerings to just a few models.” (Globalsecurity.org, “Iran Aviation Industry”)

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 In April 2005, Aviation International News reported that “Eurocopter is well represented in Iran. Last year it won the state tender to supply three AS 365N3 Dauphins outfitted for search-and-rescue and maritime surveillance. Those helicopters, scheduled to be delivered next year, will be the first Dauphins in the nation… Eurocopter estimates Iran’s total demand for civil helicopters to be 100 to 150 units during the next two or three years… Eurocopter predicts that the Dauphin will be the best-selling helicopter in the nation in the years ahead.”

“Last year Iran’s Ministry of Industry and Mines took delivery of an AS 350B3 to use for geological survey. The manufacturer also delivered six AS 350B3s to the Ministry of Oil for Helicopter Services Organization, which is using the new models to supplement its two AS 350B2s, the first French-made helicopters delivered to Iran after the Islamic Revolution under 2000 and 2002 deals.”

“Eurocopter also provides support for the Alouette IIIs and BO 105s operators acquired before the revolution that remain operational with civilian organizations. A total of 30 of these aging types remain airworthy and operate mostly with Helicopter Services Organization.” (Aviation International News, “Helo makers find market in Iran,” April 2005)

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In February 2005, EADS and its subsidiary Eurocopter, marketed their products at that year’s Iran Air Show. When questioned about the American sanctions on Iran, an EADS representative stated, “ As a European company, we're not supposed to take into account embargoes from the U.S.” He added, “The emphasis here is on our civil helicopters. We are not offering military helicopters here.” Nonetheless, a military helicopter was “prominent on the company's video in Iran.” (MSNBC, “European Firms Display Wares in Iran,” 2/23/05)

See Video: Corresponding NBC Nightly News Investigative Report on European defense firms doing business in Iran. (NBC Nightly News, “European Defense Firms Eager to Sell to Iran”)

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Eurocopter was also an exhibitor at the 2007 Iranian Air Show. (2008 Iran Kish Air Show, “Exhibitors”)

EADS is a global leader in aerospace and defense. Germany, France, the Netherlands and Spain all own a stake in the company. Notable subsidiaries of EADS including the airplane manufacturer Airbus and the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter.

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In 2005, it was also reported that EADS provided nuclear parts to Iran through sales to a South Korean company, Kyung-Do Enterprises:  “The French firm EADS Sodern was one such company involved in the illegal transactions though it was unaware of the final destination of its exports.” Iran purchased 300 units of Nickel 63 from the South Korean company: “This radioactive material is needed for firing electrons used in a nuclear bomb’s trigger mechanism.” (Iran Focus, “Iran acquiring nuclear parts from Europe,” 7/25/05)

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“Since the European Union does not impose restrictions on sales of civil products to Iran, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland market their products in the country, but the US sanctions restrict the Europeans’ offerings to just a few models.” (Globalsecurity.org, “Iran Aviation Industry”)

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 In April 2005, Aviation International News reported that “Eurocopter is well represented in Iran. Last year it won the state tender to supply three AS 365N3 Dauphins outfitted for search-and-rescue and maritime surveillance. Those helicopters, scheduled to be delivered next year, will be the first Dauphins in the nation… Eurocopter estimates Iran’s total demand for civil helicopters to be 100 to 150 units during the next two or three years… Eurocopter predicts that the Dauphin will be the best-selling helicopter in the nation in the years ahead.”

“Last year Iran’s Ministry of Industry and Mines took delivery of an AS 350B3 to use for geological survey. The manufacturer also delivered six AS 350B3s to the Ministry of Oil for Helicopter Services Organization, which is using the new models to supplement its two AS 350B2s, the first French-made helicopters delivered to Iran after the Islamic Revolution under 2000 and 2002 deals.”

“Eurocopter also provides support for the Alouette IIIs and BO 105s operators acquired before the revolution that remain operational with civilian organizations. A total of 30 of these aging types remain airworthy and operate mostly with Helicopter Services Organization.” (Aviation International News, “Helo makers find market in Iran,” April 2005)

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In February 2005, EADS and its subsidiary Eurocopter, marketed their products at that year’s Iran Air Show. When questioned about the American sanctions on Iran, an EADS representative stated, “ As a European company, we're not supposed to take into account embargoes from the U.S.” He added, “The emphasis here is on our civil helicopters. We are not offering military helicopters here.” Nonetheless, a military helicopter was “prominent on the company's video in Iran.” (MSNBC, “European Firms Display Wares in Iran,” 2/23/05)

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See Video: Corresponding NBC Nightly News Investigative Report on European defense firms doing business in Iran. (NBC Nightly News, “European Defense Firms Eager to Sell to Iran”)

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Eurocopter was also an exhibitor at the 2007 Iranian Air Show. (2008 Iran Kish Air Show, “Exhibitors”)

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ATR is an Italian-French aircraft manufacturer and a joint venture of EADS and Finmeccanica, which each own a 50% stake of the company. The EADS website lists in 2002 that ATR sold one ATR 72-500 aircraft to Iran Aseman Airlines (EADS Website, “ATR results in line with 2002 objectives,” 1/22/03). The ATR 72 model is a short-haul regional airliner. Other ATR aircraft are active in Aseman’s Airlines fleet (Aseman Airlines website, “About Us”)

In 2006, LIMMT Economic & Trade Co., a Chinese seller of metallurgical products, was blocked from selling goods in the U.S. for allegedly selling high-strength metals and sophisticated military materials to Iran.

In April 2009, a New York grand jury indicted LIMMT and its owner, Li Fang Wei, for allegedly conspiring to evade that ban by using aliases, and the U.S. Treasury updated its sanctions list to include those aliases.

In 2006, Dalian Sunny Industry & Trade Co. sent seven shipments of steel parts to Coastal Flange Inc. in Houston. (The 2009 case established that Dalian was an LIMMT affiliate.) In 2007, the shipments began coming from Dalian Orient Pipe Components Co. Bills of lading reveal that Dalian Sunny and Dalian Orient share the same address and telephone number.

Officials at LIMMT, Dalian Sunny and Dalian Orient didn't return calls seeking comment. (The Wall Street Journal, "Chinese Evade U.S. Sanctions on Iran," 1/5/10)

"Chinese companies banned from doing business in the U.S. for allegedly selling missile technology to Iran continue to do a brisk trade with American companies, according to an analysis of shipping records.

A unit of state-owned China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp., for example, has made nearly 300 illegal shipments to U.S. firms since a ban was imposed on CPMIEC and its affiliates in mid-2006, according to an analysis of shipping records by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, a nonprofit proliferation watchdog.

A Wall Street Journal review of the records and interviews with officials at some of the American companies indicate that the U.S. firms likely were unaware they were doing business with banned entities, and in many cases were tripped up by altered company names.

The CPMIEC shipments, worth millions of dollars, include everything from anchors and drilling equipment to automobile parts and toys. In many cases, CPMIEC acted as a shipping intermediary -- activity also banned under a 2006 presidential order.

The ability of CPMIEC and other foreign companies to continue doing business in the U.S. despite the sanctions comes as the Obama administration considers fresh economic sanctions against Iran. The illegal shipments suggest that U.S. sanctions have become so numerous and complex that they have become difficult to enforce...

In June 2006, the U.S. banned CPMIEC and three other Chinese companies from conducting business in the U.S., citing their alleged sales of missile technology to Iran in defiance of previous sanctions. Two months later, a shipment of oil-drainage tanks from Shanghai landed at the port of Tacoma, Wash., bound for a New York City firm, American Forge & Foundry Inc. The shipper: a unit of CPMIEC, according to a shipping record known as a bill of lading...

John Iliff, general manager of American Forge & Foundry, says the single shipment of oil-drainage tanks it received in 2006 from the CPMIEC unit set off no alarms. 'Trading in illegal goods certainly never crossed our minds,' he says.

The shipment came from China JMM Import & Export Shanghai Pudong Corp., which didn't appear on any sanctions list until Thursday. Records indicate the company shares an address and phone number with a CPMIEC unit that was previously banned: CPMIEC Shanghai Pudong Corp. The Treasury determined that the two companies are affiliated." (The Wall Street Journal, "Chinese Evade U.S. Sanctions on Iran," 1/5/10)

• From a Company Press Release: In February 2007, “the opening of a new Customer Service Support Centre in the United Arab Emirates for Air Systems solutions. The newly born Support Centre consolidates Thales local presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as in Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and Yemen. As a major economic and business centre in the region, Dubai, and more precisely the Jebel Ali Free Zone has been chosen to ‘host' the Support Centre.” (Company Press Release, “Thales opens a new support centre in the Middle East,” 2/17/09)

• “Former optic businesses of Thales have consented to pay penalties of USD15 million as part of an agreement with the US Department of State relating to more than 160 alleged breaches of the US Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) dating back as far as 20 years, it emerged on 6 January.

  The allegations concern claims that technology, hardware and services primarily relating to night-vision systems were exported or re-exported to countries including China, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and Singapore."

  While the majority of the alleged violations apply to the early years of the current decade, one dates back to 1985.

  In a statement, the State Department indicated that the probe relates in part to a prior investigation into US defence group ITT Corporation. Thales Singapore (and its predecessor companies) were important suppliers to ITT Night Vision, the State Department said. Jane's reported in March 2007 that ITT had agreed to pay penalties of USD100 million - described by the US Department of Justice at the time as "one of the largest penalties ever paid in a criminal case" - after admitting sending "classified materials overseas".

  The latest Department of State investigation covers certain former Thales High Technology Optic Group companies - Thales Electro-Optics Pte Ltd Singapore (Thales Singapore), Thales Optical Coatings Ltd UK and Thales Optem Inc NY - that were acquired by the Luxembourg-based Qioptiq Group in 2005.” (Jane's, "Former Thales companies agree to pay penalties for US export violations," 1/8/09)

In 2006, "Rosoboronexport contracted with Iran late July to modernize 30 Su-24 front bombers which may bear tactic nuclear weapons. The contract is to be executed by Sukhoi." (Kommersant, "Sanctions Imposed on Russian Companies Linked with Iran," 08/05/06)

"For two years, the United States regarded Rosoboronexport, Russia’s official weapons exporter, as an international pariah for selling arms to Iran and Syria. Then, in 2010, the U.S. suddenly lifted sanctions against it. By June of this year, the reversal was complete: the Pentagon awarded the company a no-bid contract worth upwards of $1 billion… Rosoboronexport, whose annual revenues have grown to nearly $9 billion, had only recently been removed from the list of companies sanctioned by the U.S. State Department for violating U.S. laws prohibiting the sale of weapons to Iran and Syria. Among the suspected sales were surface-to-air missiles to Iran. But after sanctions were lifted, the Army went full steam ahead with plans to sole-source a $375 million contract to the Russian arms agency, now arguing that it was the only legitimate vendor of Russian armaments." (Wired. "Russian Firm Got No-Bid Pentagon Contract After Selling Arms to Iran," 8/31/11)

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"Russia's state arms export agency said Monday that it is supplying Iran with defensive weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, but did not say whether they include the sophisticated long-range S-300 missiles...Rosoboronexport said in a statement that 'only weapons of a defensive nature are being supplied to Iran, including anti-aircraft weaponry.' It added that, previously, Tor-M1 air-defense systems were supplied to Iran." (Associated Press, "Russia giving Iran only defensive weapons," 12/22/08)

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"Rosoboronexport contracted with Iran late July to modernize 30 Su-24 front bombers which may bear tactic nuclear weapons. The contract is to be executed by Sukhoi." (Kommersant, "Sanctions Imposed on Russian Companies Linked to Iran," 08/05/2006)