Spain Busts Ring that Planned to Export Missile-Making Equipment to Iran

April 7, 2014

Publication: 

El Pais

Related Country: 

  • Spain

Spain's Civil Guard arrested four individuals on charges of attempting to export dual-use industrial machinery to Iran.  Three of the suspects are Spanish nationals from the same family, while the fourth is an Iranian.  Spanish authorities began their investigation after learning that two Leifeld metalworking machines had been illegally brought into Spain from the United Kingdom.  The equipment has civilian applications but can also be used to manufacture missile casings or parts for uranium enrichment.  The suspects are believed to have sent engineering plans to Iran using an elaborate network of front companies.