WASHINGTON, March 22 (KUNA) -- The US announced Friday imposing sanctions on 31 Iranian Individuals and entities "that have contributed to, supported, or are otherwise linked to Iran's nuclear proliferation-sensitive activities." State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement that the "[US President Donald] Trump administration continues to hold the Iranian regime accountable for activities that threaten the region's stability and harm the Iranian people. This includes ensuring that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon." It added that the US on Friday "designated 31 Iranian individuals and entities that have contributed to, supported, or are otherwise linked to Iran's nuclear proliferation-sensitive activities." "All of the targets designated are linked to Iran's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (known by its Persian acronym as SPND) - an entity established by Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the head of the regime's past nuclear weapons program," it explained.
The statement said that "pursuant to Executive Order 13382, these sanctions target proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters. In addition to the blocking of any US assets, designated targets will be denied access to the US financial system." It reiterated that the US "strongly condemns Iran's efforts to maintain its band of former nuclear weapons researchers, preserve their work, and continue sensitive procurement activities." The statement cautioned that "other Iranian individuals who work for the regime's nuclear program should know they risk being sanctioned" by the US. (end) rsr.mt