US Sanctions Three Russian Firms Over WMD Proliferation - State Department

The United States has imposed sanctions on three Russian companies over their alleged proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to Iran, Syria and North Korea, according to a notice published by the State Department in the Federal Register on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) The United States has imposed sanctions on three Russian companies over their alleged proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to Iran, Syria and North Korea, according to a notice published by the State Department in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

According to the notice, the designations include "Gatchina Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Training Center (Russia) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof; Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) Tula (Russia) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof; Moscow Machine Building Plant Avangard (MMZ Avangard) (Russia) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof."

The three Russian companies were among 22 entities targeted in the new round of sanctions. The designations include 13 Chinese companies or individuals and five listed as Syrian, including Lebanese Hezbollah.

"A determination has been made that a number of foreign persons have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act," the notice stated.

The act provides for penalties on foreign entities and individuals for the transfer to or acquisition of goods, services, or technology subject to multilateral controls or otherwise having the potential to help development of weapons of mass destruction or missiles.

Those named are prohibited from doing business with the US government and are not eligible for licenses to buy or sell controlled items under the Export Administration Act of 1979, the release said.

The sanctions went into effect on May 14, according to the notice.