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12/3/2020

Treasury Designates Entity Subordinate to Iran’s Military Firm | U.S. Department of the Treasury

Treasury Designates Entity Subordinate to Iran’s Military Firm
December 3, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) designated Shahid Meisami Group and its director. Shahid Meisami Group is involved
in Iran’s chemical weapons research and is subordinate to the Iranian Organization of
Defensive Innovation and Research, also known as SPND. The United States designated
SPND in 2014 in connection with the Iranian regime’s proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMD) or their means of delivery.
“Iran’s development of weapons of mass destruction is a threat to the security of its
neighbors and the world,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “The United States will continue
to counter any e orts by the Iranian regime to develop chemical weapons that may be used
by the regime or its proxy groups to advance their malign agenda.”
Treasury’s action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets
proliferators of WMD and their supporters. This action supports the United States’ calls on
Iran to meet the compliance standards of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Shahid Meisami Group
Shahid Meisami Group is an organization subordinate to SPND and has been responsible for
numerous SPND projects, the cost of which totaled in the millions of U.S. dollars. These
projects include testing and producing chemical agents and optimizing them for
e ectiveness and toxicity for use as incapacitation agents. The United States has
longstanding concerns that Iran maintains an undeclared chemical weapons program.
Shahid Meisami Group is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or
controlled by, directly or indirectly, SPND, a person whose property and interests in property
are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382.
Mehran Babri
Mehran Babri is the head of Shahid Meisami Group. Prior to his current position at Shahid
Meisami Group, Babri worked at Iran’s Defense Chemical Research Lab.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1200

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12/3/2020

Treasury Designates Entity Subordinate to Iran’s Military Firm | U.S. Department of the Treasury

Mehran Babri is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or
on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Shahid Meisami Group, a person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in
the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and
reported to OFAC. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within
the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any
property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.
In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities
designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement
action. Furthermore, unless an exception applies, any foreign financial institution that
knowingly facilitates a significant transaction for any of the individuals or entities designated
today could be subject to U.S. sanctions.
View identifying information on the individual and entity designated today.

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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1200

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