This month’s newsletter features an article on Iran’s new space center at Chabahar, which is expected to become operational later this year. The spaceport’s capacity to launch larger rockets than Iran’s two existing facilities will enable the country to take the next steps toward its space ambitions. Better space capabilities have implications for Iran’s military programs, but formidable technical challenges remain.

The newsletter also includes profiles of companies supplying servomotors to Iran for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone program, as well as news that Iran is seeking China’s help with satellites, has found new destinations for its oil exports, and is preparing to transfer Fath-360 ballistic missiles to Russia. Additions to the Iran Watch library include official statements on the possibility of regional escalation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, announcements of U.S. actions to disrupt Iran’s material and financial support to the Houthis, and other U.S. Department of Justice indictments.

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PUBLICATIONS

Iranian Space Agency chief Hassan Salarieh shows images of the Chabahar space center under construction. Credit: President.ir

Articles and Reports | Chabahar: The Gateway to Iran’s Space Future?

Iran’s long-awaited space center at Chabahar, first announced in 2010, is expected to become operational later this year. The spaceport’s ability to launch larger rockets than Iran’s two existing facilities will enable the country to take the next steps toward its stated space ambitions.

Formidable technical challenges remain, however. And although the West has long been concerned by Iran’s development of space-launch rockets as potential test beds for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technologies, the satellites those rockets carry may prove equally valuable as military assets through the enhancements they provide to targeting, navigation, and communication.

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ENTITIES OF CONCERN

Last September, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned a network supplying servomotors to Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company (PESC) in Iran, which was procuring the parts for the IRGC Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program.

Hongkong Himark Electron Model Limited

A Hong Kong-based electronics distributor; exported more than one million dollars’ worth of servomotors to PESC; also supplied more than one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of servomotors to the Houthis in Yemen.

Dal Enerji Madencilik Turizm Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi

A Turkey-based engineering company; along with Anka Port Ic Ve Dis Ticaret INSAAT Lojistik Sanayi Limited Sirketi, facilitated financial transactions for PESC’s purchase of the servomotors; also facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments for illicit Iranian petrochemical sales.

Farhad Ghaedi Goods Wholesalers LLC

A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based trading company; facilitated the shipment of the servomotors from Hong Kong to Iran via Dubai; owner is Farhad Ghaedi.

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IN THE NEWS

A training variant of the Fath-360 missile system. (Credit: Tasnim News Agency) 

Iran Seeks China’s Help with Surveillance Satellites, Officials Say | Washington Post

August 16, 2024: Anonymous Western security officials said that Iran’s IRGC is seeking assistance from two Chinese satellite companies to enhance its surveillance capabilities. According to the sources, IRGC personnel have held multiple exchanges with company officials from Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. and MinoSpace Technology Co., both of which offer equipment that would help Iran improve its satellites. The parties have not concluded any formal agreements yet, however.

Iran’s Oil Finds New Destinations in Tehran Export Push, Sources Say | Reuters

August 9, 2024: Iran shipped small amounts of crude oil to new destinations, including Bangladesh and Oman, in June and July 2024. Despite U.S. sanctions on its crude oil exports, Tehran’s oil output in 2024 has exceeded 3.2 million barrels per day, a five-year high, while exports have stabilized around 1.5 million barrels per day.

Iran to Deliver Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles to Russia Soon, Intel Sources Say | Reuters

August 9, 2024: Two European intelligence sources said that Iran is preparing to deliver hundreds of Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for potential use in Ukraine. The sources said that Russian defense ministry officials signed a contract for the weapons in December 2023 and that Russian personnel have been trained on the system in Iran, signaling that delivery is imminent.

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FROM THE LIBRARY

Following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, signals from Tehran and Washington prompted fears of regional escalation.

• The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed Israel and said that Iran had an “inalienable right to respond appropriately to this brazen act against its sovereignty and territorial integrity” – July 31.
• Days later, a Pentagon official announced fresh deployments to the Middle East, including additional ballistic missile defense assets and an extra fighter squadron – August 2.

The United States announced new measures aimed at disrupting Iran’s material and financial support to the Houthi rebel group.

• The Department of Justice announced the indictment of Shahab and Yunus Mir’kazei, IRGC officials who hired Pakistani national Muhammad Pahlawan to smuggle weapons from Iran to Yemen on a dhow owned by Shahab. The same dhow was interdicted by U.S. forces in January – August 8.
• The Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on one individual, six companies, and three vessels for their involvement in the illicit sale of Iranian oil and gas on behalf of Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal – August 15.

The U.S. Department of Justice publicized two court cases connected to Iran.

• Federal officials arrested Asif Raza Merchant in New York and accused him of scheming to assassinate U.S. politicians or government officials on U.S. soil. Although Merchant is Pakistani, he has close ties to Iran and visited the country frequently – August 6.
• Officials also arrested California resident Jeffrey Chance Nader, who was indicted for conspiring to illegally export military aircraft components from the United States to Iran – August 14.