U.S. Prosecutors Charge Three Iranians for Exporting Materials Needed for Uranium Enrichment to Iran
The U.S. Attorney in Manhattan announced the extradition of an Iranian national from Germany to the United States and charges against two other men in connection with the export of carbon fiber from America to Iran.
Judicial authorities announced the extradition of “Behzad Pourganad” on Tuesday, July 25. They also charged Pourganad, “Alireza Shekari,” and “Farzin Farimanesh” for exporting carbon fiber to Iran.
U.S. officials say carbon fiber is used for uranium enrichment. Prosecutors say actions such as exporting carbon fiber to Iran that compromise American security will “not go unpunished.”
Pourganad was arrested in Germany on May 3, 2017, and was brought to New York on Monday to appear in court before Judge Judith McCarthy.
Shekari and Farimanesh remain under prosecution.
A U.S. federal law enforcement official, the FBI, stated that Iran continues efforts to obtain the technology and materials needed to advance its nuclear program.
Authorities say Pourganad, Shekari, and Farimanesh lived and worked in Iran between 2008 and July 2013, and during that period coordinated with each other to obtain carbon fiber from the United States and export it to Iran through a third country. They say Shekari agreed to obtain several tons of carbon fiber from the United States, Pourganad to provide the funds, and Farimanesh to transport it.
Carbon fiber is used in missile industries, aerospace engineering, and uranium enrichment centrifuges.
Source: Voice of America
