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.

Department spokesman Richard Boucher said later that the two sets of sanctions were related and had both taken effect on May 9.

In addition, he pointed out that Cuanta SA and Vladov were among 12 entities named and penalized last May for transferring sensitive technology and equipment to Iran.

"The sanctions were imposed on the Moldovan entities and persons because they contributed to missile programs in Iran," Boucher told reporters.

The Iranian firm "was penalized for its material contribution to Iran's ballistic missile programs through its involvement in this activity," he said.

While the language used in announcing the penalties as well as the measures themselves were similar, the sanctions were imposed under different US laws and regulations, the department said.

The Moldovan entities were sanctioned under the Arms Export Control Act while the sanctions on the Iran firm were imposed, as well as under that act, by an executive order 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