SIPRI Yearbook 2008: summaries in three languages
UN Arms Embargoes - Iran (technology related to nuclear weapon delivery systems)
United Nations arms embargoes
Iran (technology related to nuclear weapon delivery systems)
In December 2006 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 (PDF) which, inter alia, established an embargo on the export to and import from Iran of certain items and technology potentially related to nuclear weapons. The resolution was a reaction to the fact that the IAEA, after over 3 years of investigations, was still unable to verify that there were no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran. The embargo does not deal explicitly with conventional arms. However, the coverage of the ban includes missiles and other technologies which can be used in both conventional and nuclear military applications.
The embargo is aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. It therefore prohibits states from directly or indirectly supply, or help to supply goods and technology to Iran which could contribute to Iran's uranium enrichment-related, nuclear fuel reprocessing or heavy water-related activities. The resolution also prohibits the transfer of goods and technology which could contribute to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
The resolution does not detail these delivery systems or the types of technologies covered. For a more specific definition of the goods and technology related to delivery systems, the resolution refers to a document originally related to the arms embargo against North Korea, 'A list of items and technology related to ballistic missile programmes (S/2006/815)' (PDF). This document provides an overview of items and technology related to the delivery and production of rocket systems (including ballistic missile systems, space launch vehicles and sounding rockets) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems (including cruise missiles, target drones and reconnaissance drones) capable of delivering at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least 300 km.
Many of the items mentioned in S/2006/815 are items commonly used in the production of conventional weapons, especially missiles and combat aircraft. Hence, the embargo may hinder Iran's efforts to procure conventional, as well as non-conventional weapons technology. In addition, the resolution obliges states to 'freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories ... that are owned or controlled by the persons or entities designated in the Annex'. Included in the Annex are Defence Industries Organization (DIO) and subsidiaries of Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), companies which are involved in the production of conventional weapons for the Iranian armed forces from mainly foreign sourced components. The resolution may make it harder for these companies, and therefore the Iranian armed forces, to procure components, equipment and technology from abroad.
In March 2007 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1747 (PDF) which, inter alia, established an embargo on the export from Iran of all arms and related materials, thereby banning all states and groups from purchasing or receiving arms from Iran. The resolution also called on all states to 'exercise vigilance and restraint' in their supply of any items covered by the UN Register of Conventional Arms to Iran .
Non-proliferation and Export Control Project home page
Iran (technology related to nuclear weapon delivery systems)
In December 2006 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 (PDF) which, inter alia, established an embargo on the export to and import from Iran of certain items and technology potentially related to nuclear weapons. The resolution was a reaction to the fact that the IAEA, after over 3 years of investigations, was still unable to verify that there were no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran. The embargo does not deal explicitly with conventional arms. However, the coverage of the ban includes missiles and other technologies which can be used in both conventional and nuclear military applications.
The embargo is aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. It therefore prohibits states from directly or indirectly supply, or help to supply goods and technology to Iran which could contribute to Iran's uranium enrichment-related, nuclear fuel reprocessing or heavy water-related activities. The resolution also prohibits the transfer of goods and technology which could contribute to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
The resolution does not detail these delivery systems or the types of technologies covered. For a more specific definition of the goods and technology related to delivery systems, the resolution refers to a document originally related to the arms embargo against North Korea, 'A list of items and technology related to ballistic missile programmes (S/2006/815)' (PDF). This document provides an overview of items and technology related to the delivery and production of rocket systems (including ballistic missile systems, space launch vehicles and sounding rockets) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems (including cruise missiles, target drones and reconnaissance drones) capable of delivering at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least 300 km.
Many of the items mentioned in S/2006/815 are items commonly used in the production of conventional weapons, especially missiles and combat aircraft. Hence, the embargo may hinder Iran's efforts to procure conventional, as well as non-conventional weapons technology. In addition, the resolution obliges states to 'freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories ... that are owned or controlled by the persons or entities designated in the Annex'. Included in the Annex are Defence Industries Organization (DIO) and subsidiaries of Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), companies which are involved in the production of conventional weapons for the Iranian armed forces from mainly foreign sourced components. The resolution may make it harder for these companies, and therefore the Iranian armed forces, to procure components, equipment and technology from abroad.
In March 2007 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1747 (PDF) which, inter alia, established an embargo on the export from Iran of all arms and related materials, thereby banning all states and groups from purchasing or receiving arms from Iran. The resolution also called on all states to 'exercise vigilance and restraint' in their supply of any items covered by the UN Register of Conventional Arms to Iran .
Non-proliferation and Export Control Project home page