US sanctions Iranian firms tied to missile program

The Treasury Department on Thursday announced sanctions against five companies it says are tied to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control blocked five Iranian technology, manufacturing, engine supply and research companies owned by Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group.

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“These sanctions target key entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program, which the Iranian regime prioritizes over the economic well-being of the Iranian people,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a statement.

“As the Iranian people suffer, their government and the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] fund foreign militants, terrorist groups, and human rights abuses.”

The companies are Shahid Kharrazi Industries, Shahid Sanikhani Industries, Shahid Moghaddam Industries, Shahid Eslami Research Center and Shahid Shustari Industries.

The sanctions come amid deadly protests in Iran, where thousands of people have demonstrated against the country’s government.