Iran has met the deadline for limiting the number centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant to just over 1,000 machines, according to a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Hundreds of centrifuges were transferred to an underground storage facility at Natanz. Under the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran had one year from January 16, 2016 to move the excess centrifuges.
News Briefs
January 9, 2017
The United States and its partners in the P5+1 group of countries recently approved the transfer from Russia to Iran of 116 metric tons of natural uranium. The transfer, which would be the first since the nuclear agreement came into force, must first be formally approved by the U.N. Security Council. The uranium transfer would serve as compensation for Iran's shipment to Russia of 40 metric tons of heavy water. Iran has not stated how the uranium will be used.
-- Associated Press
January 9, 2017
Iran's parliament has approved a bill to promote the country's military capability by "developing and increasing the power to produce missiles," including "within short, medium and long ranges," and "developing and strengthening electronic warfare and cyber defense capabilities." This vote follows another last May to require that five percent of the national budget be used for defense spending.
-- Tasnim News Agency
December 20, 2016
Iran's atomic energy agency announced that it will export less heavy water annually due to an oversupply in the global market. An agency spokesman said that some 20 tons of heavy water would be exported per year, far less than the 70 tons Iran has exported since the nuclear agreement took effect in January 2016.
-- Fox News
December 15, 2016
Lim Young Nam, aka Steven Lim, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States by dishonest means. Between August 2007 and February 2008, Lim was involved in a scheme to illegally purchase and export 6,000 radio frequency modules with encryption and long-range wireless data transmission capabilities from a Minnesota-based company. Lim, a citizen of Singapore, falsely portrayed Singapore as the ultimate destination for the goods, when the actual destination was Iran. At least 14 of the modules were later found as components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq.
December 15, 2016
Kenneth Zong has been charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and assisting Iran to evade international sanctions. Zong allegedly used his Korea-based company Anchore (formerly KSI Ejder) to create fake business transactions in order to convert $1 billion worth of Iranian funds into dollars and euros. Zong then received $10-$17 million in payment for these services from Iranian nationals. While Zong is the only defendant in the 47-count indictment, four unnamed co-conspirators (three Iranian and one U.S. citizen) participated in the conspiracy, which took place between January 2011 and at least April 2014. Other parties may include Zong's son Mitchell Sub Zong as well as Mitchell's university classmate Majid Farsoodeh and his company Farsoodeh & Partnership. Kenneth Zong is currently in prison in South Korea.
-- Alaska Dispatch News
December 15, 2016
The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) was renewed with overwhelming Congressional support but without President Barack Obama's signature. The White House issued a statement saying that the administration viewed the ISA extension as unnecessary, but in line with U.S. commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
-- The Wall Street Journal
December 14, 2016
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to begin research and development of nuclear fuel for naval propulsion systems. The order comes in retaliation to the United States' extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). In addition, Iran plans to file a formal complaint with the Joint Commission regarding the ISA extension. Iranian officials have previously announced plans to enrich uranium for nuclear-fueled vessels, including to 60 percent enriched uranium.
-- Fars News Agency
December 11, 2016
Earlier this month, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Babak Zanjani, an Iranian national convicted of fraud for owing the Iranian government $2.7 billion in oil revenue. However, a judiciary spokesman announced that Zanjani may be spared if he reimburses the funds. Zanjani made illicit oil deals on behalf of the Iranian government using a network of companies located in Turkey, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates.
-- Reuters
December 11, 2016
Boeing has finalized a deal to sell 80 jetliners to Iran's state-owned airline Iran Air. Announced in June, the deal is valued at $16.6 billion.
-- The Wall Street Journal