US sanctions Iranian 'procurement agent,' network for aiding missile program

WASHINGTON

The US sanctioned an Iranian national Wednesday who allegedly has been aiding Iran's ballistic missile program as well as his network of companies.

Mohammad Ali Hosseini used his network to procure items for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, which is responsible for Tehran's ballistic missile program, and Iran’s Parchin Chemical Industries, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

“This action reinforces the United States’ commitment to preventing the Iranian regime’s development and use of advanced ballistic missiles,” said Brian Nelson, the department's top official for terrorism.

“While the United States continues to seek Iran’s return to full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, we will not hesitate to target those who support Iran’s ballistic missile program. We will also work with other partners in the region to hold Iran accountable for its actions," he added.

In addition to Hosseini, the Biden administration is blacklisting four firms the US said constitute his "procurement network." They include Jestar Sanat Delijan and Sina Composite Delijan Company, which allegedly helped procure ballistic missile fuel.

Hosseini allegedly used other now-sanctioned firms to procure processing machines for nitrile butadiene rubber and other key equipment used to produce solid missile propellant.