Money (illustration)
Money (illustration)Flash 90

The US State Department imposed sanctions, Thursday, on four Iranian companies and one individual for aiding Iran's development of a nuclear weapon by providing centrifuge components, equipment and research to the government's uranium enrichment and nuclear programs.

“These entities and individual were designated because they provide the Iranian government goods, technology, and services that increase Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and/or construct a heavy water moderated research reactor, both of which are activities prohibited by U.N. Security Council Resolutions,” said State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell in a statement.

The sanctioned person and companies will be unable to engage in financial transactions with Americans and all of their assets under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen.

Aluminat, Pars Amayesh Sanaat Kish, Pishro Systems Research Company and Taghtiran Kashan Company are the four firms sanctioned by the State Department. Parviz Khaki is the individual whose assets will be frozen, The Hill reported.

“Iranian private sector firms should heed the risks incurred by conducting business with those who support Iran’s proscribed nuclear activities and should choose to focus their activities on legitimate international commerce,” Ventrell said

“The United States will continue to investigate and research similar activities, and additional companies making material contributions to the Iranian government’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery will likely be designated,” he added, according to The Hill.