This month’s newsletter features an article analyzing Iran’s new Ghaem-100 rocket, including details on how it compares to earlier Iranian space-launch vehicles and what its design indicates about the future of Iran’s space and ballistic missile programs.

The newsletter also includes profiles of several entities linked to Iran’s drone program, as well as news about space and defense collaboration between Iran and Russia. Additions to the Iran Watch library include multiple sanctions announcements, U.N. documents on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231, and a pair of U.S. enforcement actions.

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PUBLICATIONS

The Ghaem-100 before launch. (Credit: Screenshot from IRIB news broascast, via YouTube)

Article | How the Ghaem-100 Rocket Puts Iran’s Space Program on a New Trajectory

On November 5, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successfully tested the Ghaem-100, a new solid-fueled space-launch vehicle (SLV). The rocket improves on earlier Iranian SLVs such as the Qased and the Zuljanah in notable ways. More worryingly, it will likely serve as the basis for a series of larger, even more capable solid-fueled rockets, heightening international concern about Iran’s ability to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile.

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ENTITIES OF CONCERN

The European Union, the United States, and several other countries have tightened sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the production of drones and their transfer to Russia.

Shahed Aviation Industries

An Iranian company involved in the design and manufacture of Shahed-series UAVs; subordinate to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGCASF); Shahed-series one-way attack UAVs have been used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Saeed Aghajani

A brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involved in Iran's operation of UAVs; oversees Iran's supply of drones to Russia and other allies of Iran.

Aseman Pishraneh Engineering Services Company

An Iranian company that performs services related to aircraft engines, particularly Rotax-brand engines; majority-owned by Paravar Pars Company, which appears on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

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IN THE NEWS

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, announces the beginning of construction on the Shahid Kharrazi power station at Darkhovin. (Credit: Tasnim News Agency.)

Iran, Russia Sign Space Cooperation Document | Islamic Republic News Agency

December 14, 2022: The heads of Iran's and Russia's space agencies signed an agreement to increase space industry cooperation between the two countries. Future areas of collaboration may include the development of satellites, the construction of launch sites, and visits by Iranian astronauts to the Russian space station.

US: Russia, Iran Moving Toward Full Defense ‘Partnership’ | Associated Press

December 9, 2022: U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Russia was training Iranian pilots on Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and that Iran could receive deliveries of the aircraft within the year. He also said Iran is considering setting up a drone assembly line in Russia and may transfer hundreds of ballistic missiles to Moscow.

Iran Starts Construction of New Nuclear Power Plant | Tasnim News Agency

December 3, 2022: Iran officially began construction on a 300-megawatt pressurized water reactor at Darkhovin in Khuzestan Province. According to Iranian officials, the project will rely on an indigenous design and is expected to take eight years to complete.

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FROM THE LIBRARY

In December, the European Union, the United States, and other Western countries sanctioned Iranian entities involved in human rights abuses and military support to Russia.

• In conjunction with international Human Rights Day, the European Union and the United States sanctioned Iranian entities for their involvement in the violent crackdown against protestors in Iran - December 12 and 9.
• The European Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom imposed further sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the production and transfer of drones to Russia - December 12, 10, 2, 14, 13.

Several reports and statements related to the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, were released.

• The U.N.’s facilitator for resolution 2231 transmitted his latest six-month report assessing the resolution’s implementation - December 12.
• The U.N. Secretary-General published his accompanying report - December 12.
• The U.S. representative to the United Nations pointed to Iran’s drone transfers to Russia as a violation of the resolution, while the Russian representative denied such transfers have occurred - December 19.
• France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a statement denouncing Iran’s “continued escalation” on its nuclear program - December 19.

The United States took action against sanctions evaders.

• The Department of the Treasury designated an IRGC oil smuggling and sanctions evasion network led by Turkish businessman Sitki Ayan - December 8.
• The U.S. Navy intercepted a fishing trawler smuggling more than 50 tons of ammunition rounds, fuses, and propellants for rockets in the Gulf of Oman along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen - December 3.
• The Department of Justice unsealed a 15-count indictment against Ray Hunt of Madison County, Alabama, accusing him of participating in an illegal scheme to export U.S.-origin goods to Iran - November 29.