- U.S. Treasury designates the IRGC. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the IRGC for its support to the IRGC Quds Force pursuant to Executive Order 13244 on October 13. The designation is distinct from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation. OFAC also designated three Iran-based companies for their activities in relation to Iran’s Naval Defense Missile Industry Group and/or the IRGC, and one China-based company for proliferation activities related to an Iran-based company supporting Iran’s Defense Ministry. (Treasury.gov) (E)
- Salehi comments on new U.S. Treasury designation of the IRGC. In a statement on October 12 prior to the U.S. Treasury’s designation of the IRGC under Executive Order 13224, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran would consider the U.S. designation of the IRGC “like a declaration of war.” He added that Iran is willing to preserve the JCPOA, but “not at any price.” He also expressed doubts that the P5+1 could preserve the JCPOA if the U.S. withdraws. (Mashregh News) (Radio Farda) (E) (Tasnim News Agency)(E)
- Defense Minister Artesh Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami also called for unity among the IRGC, the Artesh, and the rest of Iran’s armed forces prior to the Treasury designation. Hatami warned that any action taken to undermine the IRGC will only aid in the “spread of terror and insecurity in the region and the world.” (Sepah News) (ABNA)
- German intelligence indicates Iranian attempts to circumvent missile program restrictions. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV warned that Iran had attempted to circumvent missile development restrictions by attempting to purchase proliferation-related equipment or know-how in a report shown to Reuters on October 11. The document noted that Iran continues to develop its missile and rocket programs and may further attempt to circumvent regulations by trying to acquire technologies in Germany. Another domestic intelligence report released by Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state on October 10 claimed that Iran made 32 attempts to buy equipment in 2016. (Reuters) (E)