In separate announcements published in the Federal Register, the department identified the companies and the individual as the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group of Iran and Cuanta SA, Computer and Communicatii SRL, and Mikhail Pavlovich Vladov, all of Moldova.

There was no indication that the two sets of sanctions were related, although the notices said both had taken effect on May 9 and Cuanta SA and Vladov were among 12 entities named and penalized by the department last May for transferring sensitive technology and equipment to Iran.

While the language used in announcing the penalties was similar, the sanctions were imposed under different US laws and regulations.

"A determination has been made that entities in Moldova have engaged in missile technology proliferation activities that require imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act," the department said.

The sanctions against the Iranian firm were imposed for "missile technology proliferation activities" under executive orders, the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations, it said.

The sanctions include a two-year ban on any US government contracts, assistance and a bar on any imports of the entities' products into the United States, the department said.

In addition, the Moldovan entities will be barred for two years from obtaining US export licenses for any missile-related technology, it said.

Iranian firms are already denied such licenses under existing sanctions.

On May 16, 2002, the State Department identified Vladov and Cuanta SA, along with eight Chinese and two Armenian firms and individuals, as having violated the provisions of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000.

That act prohibits the sale of chemical and biological weapons components and missiles and missile technology to the Islamic republic.

SPACE.WIRE