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Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Entities Linked to Nuclear Program

April 9, 2025 TruthUSA

The sanctions have been imposed in anticipation of a high-level meeting between the United States and Iran on Saturday.

The Treasury has implemented sanctions on entities that have contributed to the advancement of the Iranian nuclear program.

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated five entities and one individual based in Iran for their support of key entities overseeing Iran’s nuclear program, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the AEOI-subordinate Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), as stated in an April 9 statement.

As outlined in the Treasury statement, “AEOI is the primary Iranian organization responsible for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran’s centrifuge enrichment and experimental laser enrichment of uranium programs. AEOI supervises multiple Iranian companies engaged in nuclear-related work in Iran.”

Under the sanctions to prevent Iran’s nuclear program, all assets of the designated entities will be frozen and reported to OFAC.

The action has been taken in line with U.S. policy to deter Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

“Iran’s nuclear program, including its enrichment- and reprocessing-related capabilities and nuclear-capable missiles, poses an existential danger to the United States and the entire civilized world,” as per a presidential memorandum released by the White House in February.

The sanction against Iranian entities aligns with Executive Order 13382, signed by President George W. Bush in 2005 to target weapons of mass destruction proliferators.

AEOI was encompassed in the executive order, with TESA being designated by the Treasury in 2011 as a facilitator for Iran’s nuclear program.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the threat in the latest Treasury statement.

“The Iranian regime’s reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons remains a grave threat to the United States and a menace to regional stability and global security,” he stated.

“Treasury will continue to use our tools and authorities to disrupt any effort by Iran to advance its nuclear program and broader destabilizing agenda.”

Iran plays a destabilizing role in the Middle East by funding and providing weapons to Houthi terrorists in Yemen and supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Negotiations With Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to engage in high-level discussions with Iran on April 12 during a recent meeting at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel remains a key opponent of the Iranian regime, with both nations involved in military exchanges amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

“I think we all agree that reaching a deal would be preferable to pursuing direct actions,” Trump mentioned regarding military actions against Iran.

“I do not want to be involved in direct actions, and neither does Israel if it can be avoided,” he added. “So we will see if we can avoid it.”

Trump emphasized that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.

In response to Trump’s comments, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that it was both an opportunity and a test, mentioning that “the ball is in America’s court.”

With escalating tensions, the Pentagon confirmed on April 1 that it was bolstering military capabilities through the “deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets” in the region.

“Secretary [Pete] Hegseth continues to emphasize that, should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to protect our people,” the statement mentioned.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that the U.S. would face a strong retaliation if Trump acted on his threats.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Commander Amirali Hajizadeh threatened U.S. forces in the Middle East, highlighting American bases in the region and stating: “They are in a glass house and should not throw stones.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

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