Iran sanctions 15 American companies, including 8 gun makers

The Islamic Republic of Iran issued sanctions against 15 American companies, including eight gun makers, alleging they support terrorism, repression and Israel-led occupation of land Palestinians want for a future state.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the sanctions a “reciprocal act” for Washington imposing sanctions against Tehran in February. “Imposition of new sanctions by the U.S. is based on fabricated and illegitimate pretexts,” the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

The White House last month issued sanctions against 25 individuals and entities in support of Iran’s ballistic missile program and military. The Trump administration said Iran has continued to lead state sponsored terrorism and engage in violent acts designed to destabilize the Middle East despite agreements with the previous administration.

The ministry’s statement defends the Republic’s missile testing, saying Iran has a “right to defend itself against any foreign aggression and build up its deterrence power against threats.”

The ministry said the American companies were targeted for their “blatant violation of human rights and international humanitarian rights.” The companies include:

  • Beni Tal security company for collaborating with the Israeli military “in the suppression of Palestinian people.”
  • United Technologies for selling Black Hawk military helicopters to the Israeli regime, which “have been used to bomb occupied territories and Palestinian refugee camps.”
  • Raytheon for supplying Israel with technologically advanced military weapons “that have been used against Palestinian people during the Gaza war.”
  • ITT Corporation for providing the Israeli military with equipment “used to stage nightly raids in Palestinian villages and refugee camps.”
  • Re/Max for its involvement in “illegal real estate transactions in Israeli settlements across occupied Palestinian territories.”
  • Oshkosh Corporation for supplying the Israeli military with parts for armored vehicles “used to restrain the Palestinian population.”
  • Magnum Research Inc. for collaborating with Israeli military industries in the manufacturing of firearms and military equipment.
  • Kahr Arms, which owns Magnum Research, for providing spare parts and developing light weapons used by the Israeli army in cooperation with the regime’s military industry.
  • M7 Aerospace LP, purchased by U.S. subsidiary of the Israeli military contractor Elbit Systems, for its role in producing and developing of Israeli radar and missile systems.
  • Military Armament Corporation for providing services and equipment linked to the weapons used by Israeli police.
  • Lewis Machine and Tool Company for providing weapon parts and services to the Israeli military’s arms industry.
  • Daniel Defense for providing Israeli military’s arms industry with spare parts and services for weapons manufacturing.
  • Bushmaster Firearms International for providing Israeli military’s arms industry with spare parts and services for weapons manufacturing.
  • O.F. Mossberg & Sons for supplying Israel with weapons “used by the regime’s military and police forces in the crackdown on Palestinian civilians.”
  • H-S Precision, Inc. for providing the Israeli regime with weapons manufacturing technology.

Yet, the sanctions appear to be more symbolic than anything else as the companies weren’t immediately known to be doing business in Iran, according to a report by the Associated Press. Nevertheless, sanctions would allow Iran to seize company assets in country, bar them from agreements with Iranian companies and ban executives from obtaining visas.

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