Iran

Additional U.S. Actions Against Iran’s Proliferation Activities (Sept. 17)
Today, the United States is taking several actions against the Mayrow General Trading Company, and its global network, for its involvement in providing weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related, military and dual-use items to Iran. Full Text

Treasury Designation of Iranian Entities for Proliferation Activities (Aug. 12)
Today, the Department of the Treasury designated under Executive Order 13382 five Iranian entities of proliferation concern. Today’s designations, listed below, follow last week’s action by the European Union to tighten its sanctions against Iran for defying the international community’s calls to abandon its nuclear program. Full Text

Iran: Staying on the Diplomatic Track
Secretary Rice (Aug. 6): " [T]he P5+1, the group that has offered Iran this very generous package but has also demanded that Iran stop its enrichment and reprocessing, the political directors met. They agreed that the Iranian answer is not adequate, that it is not a really serious answer. And so we’re now going to begin to consult on how to get back on the second track, which is to move again toward Security Council – toward a Security Council resolution. We’ve always said Iran has a way out if they ever wish, but we will seriously pursue sanctions if they don’t." Full Text

Iran's Nuclear Program
Secretary Rice (July 29): "Iran needs to suspend its enrichment and reprocessing, come to the negotiating table. No one is questioning the right of Iran to have a peaceful nuclear program. ... And the proposal that was made to the Iranians makes very clear ... that there is wide-ranging civil nuclear cooperation that would be possible with Iran, trade relations, economic relations. This is a very, very beneficial package for Iran. ... And Italy will continue to be a strong voice for Iran needing to do the right thing." Full Text

Iran: U.S., Security Council Demands Stand
Secretary Rice (July 18): "Well, let me be very clear that the U.S. demand for a precondition for the suspension of uranium enrichment and reprocessing prior to negotiations stands. And in fact, what Bill Burns will do is he will go to demonstrate the unity of the P-5+1, as we call it, Russia, China, and the three European countries. He will go to demonstrate that we are unified. He will go to affirm that the United States fully backs the package. By the way, I signed the letter transmitting that package. And he will receive the Iranian answer. He will also make very clear that there will be no negotiation in which the United States is involved until there is a suspension of their enrichment and reprocessing." Full Text

Two Students Arrested in Iran (7/15)
The United States is concerned by reports that Iranian authorities have stepped up their repression of student activists in the wake of the ninth anniversary of the July 9, 1999 student uprising. Two prominent student activists, Mohammad Hashemi and Bahareh Hedayet, were arrested on July 13, the latest in a series of arrests of members of the Office for Consolidating Unity. [more]

American Citizen Robert Levinson Still Missing in Iran (7/14)
Christine Levinson, wife of American citizen Robert Levinson, who disappeared while visiting Iran’s Kish Island in March 2007, met today with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns to discuss her husband’s case. [more]

U.S. Policy Toward Iran
Under Secretary Burns (July 9): "... The behavior of the Iranian regime poses as serious a set of challenges to the international community as any problem we face today. Iran's nuclear ambitions; its support for terrorism; and its efforts to undermine hopes for stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, including lethal backing for groups attacking American troops, are all deeply troubling. So are its destructive actions in Lebanon, its longstanding rejection of a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and the profoundly repugnant rhetoric of its leaders about Israel, the Holocaust, and so much else. Compounding these concerns is Iran's deteriorating record on human rights. Ten years ago, we saw signs of opening in Iran's political and social systems. Today, sadly, Iranian citizens are subjected to increasingly severe restrictions on basic rights, and increasingly blatant manipulation of the electoral process." Full Text | View Video

Fact Sheet: Designation of Iranian Entities and Individuals for Proliferation Activities
The U.S. Government is taking actions today to further U.S. efforts to counter Iran’s pursuit of technology that could enable it to develop nuclear weapons and the missiles capable of delivering them. Today, the Departments of State and Treasury designated under Executive Order 13382 six Iranian individuals and five entities of proliferation concern. These actions provide additional information that will help financial institutions in the United States and worldwide protect themselves from deceptive financial practices employed by Iranian entities and individuals engaged in or supporting proliferation. Full Text | Media Note