Chinese national tried to give ballistic missile production material to Iran: Report
Mike Brest
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The United States has charged a Chinese national for allegedly trying to provide Iran with a material used in the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Xiangjiang Qiao, 39, also known as Joe Hansen, is an employee of the Chinese-based Sinotech Dalian Carbon and Graphite Manufacturing Corporation, which is part of a network of organizations involved in the attempted procurement of materials for Iran’s missile program, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. The U.S. placed sanctions on the company in 2014.
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Qiao allegedly participated in a scheme from March 2019 through September 2022 to use his work to supply isostatic graphite to Iran for the production of weapons of mass destruction. The specific graphite is used in the manufacture of rocket nozzles and reentry vehicle nose tips in ICMBs. He also attempted to conceal his company’s involvement by creating a bank account to receive money transfers to facilitate the transfer of the material.
“As alleged, Xiangjiang Qiao conspired to send isostatic graphite to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Isostatic graphite is a high-tech material used in the nose tips of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. “The Iranian regime of terror and repression and those who facilitate it pose a grave threat to our national security. This office will continue to work relentlessly to bring to justice those who advance the interests of the Iranian regime and thereby threaten the safety and security of the American people.”
Qiao initiated a wire transfer of approximately $6,255 from a bank account in New York to one in China, the Lexing International Trade Company, on Sept. 1, 2020, which is a front company for Sinotech Dalian. He did it again for $8,840 on Sept. 23, 2021.
Qiao is facing one count of conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran and Sinotech Dalian, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; two counts of violating the IEEPA, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; two counts of attempted bank fraud, which each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and two counts of money laundering, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The case was one of five announced on Tuesday, and the DOJ said it arose from the recently created multi-agency Disruptive Technology Strike Force.
A day earlier, the White House reiterated its warning that Iran and Russia are closely working together to assist one another in weapons development and procurement.
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“Interactions between Iran and Russia in matters regarding the selling of advanced weapons, especially more advanced UAVs, are now continuing,” National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said on Monday. “If Iran proceeds with selling these additional and more advanced UAVs to Russia, which have also been used to target U.S. personnel in the Middle East, there is every reason to believe that Russia will use them to continue its attacks against Ukrainian targets, causing more Ukrainian casualties.”
Russia has already acquired roughly 400 drones but is now looking to get more advanced versions of the Shahed drone, while it has also already received artillery and tank rounds. The U.S. has not seen “any movement about ballistic missiles,” he added.