Israel Matzav

How are those sanctions working out?

With crippling biting nibbling sanctions against Iran under discussion, it is perhaps worthwhile to take a look at how existing sanctions against Iran have been working out. Specifically, sanctions that are targeted against Iran's nuclear program. Unfortunately, the answer is "not very well."

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday how Iran managed to circumvent sanctions against its nuclear program by using a Chinese company (which had no comment) and a French intermediary (who denied involvement) to purchase badly needed valves and gauges for its centrifuges.

The IAEA and Western authorities began looking into the matter after the IAEA received the Jan. 14 email, with the subject line "For Iran Inspectors," alleging that illicit goods were being sent to Iran in a "careful and secret" way, according to a person familiar with the email.

The email named JMT and alleged the firm acquired the valves from an intermediary named Vikas Kumar Talwar representing Zheijiang Ouhai Trade Corp. of China, a subsidiary of the Wenzhou-based Jinzhou Group.

Mr. Talwar, whose nationality couldn't be learned, couldn't be located to comment. Zheijiang, which imports and exports a wide range of manufactured products from electronic cigarettes to steel pipes, didn't respond to requests to comment.

A U.S. law enforcement official said Mr. Talwar's name has come up in prior investigations of Iranian efforts to procure nuclear equipment, as has Zheijiang Ouhai. "Vikas Kumar Talwar — he's definitely a procurement agent who acts on behalf of Iranian entities," said the law enforcement official. "JMT is a known supplier to Kalaye."

Jean-Pierre Richer, president of KD Valves, said in an interview that his firm does no business with China due to the sensitive nature of the products he sells. "We have never sold to China—believe me, I wish we could," he said. Such sales would require export licenses that are difficult to obtain, he said.

Mr. Richer said he has never heard of Mr. Talwar and that KD Vales only does business with well-known customers. He said no Western authorities have contacted his firm to inquire about valve sales to Iran or China. A Tyco spokesman said the company had searched its records back to 2006 and found no record of sales to Zheijiang or Mr. Talwar.

Anyone still think Iran can be stopped by sanctions?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:45 PM