US Treasury sanctions network smuggling technology to Iran

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Treasury Department announced Wednesday that it has imposed sanctions on a network that smuggles American technology to Iran.

The network is responsible for facilitating the illegal export of goods and technology from over two dozen US companies to end-users in Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, it said in a statement.

Sanctions were imposed on three individuals and four entities for violating US export restrictions, said the Treasury Department.

The goods and technology included classified items subject to national security and anti-terrorism controls by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, it added.

"The United States will continue to use all available means to disrupt the Iranian regime’s illicit attempts to procure sensitive U.S. technology and critical inputs," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in the statement.