Spain smashes Iran missile material export plan

Parts purchased from British defense company could also have been used to make nuclear centrifuges

Spanish police say they have arrested four people who allegedly planned to send to Iran industrial machinery that could be used to make missiles.

A Civil Guard statement Monday said officers seized two Leifeld metalworking machines that had been imported illegally from Britain last year.

The statement said the machines are classified as “dual use” — meaning they can be used in both civilian and military industry — and their shipping to Iran would violate UN sanctions.

Three Spaniards and one Iranian were arrested in the cities of Barcelona, Tarragona and Palma de Mallorca.

They were charged with membership of a criminal gang, trafficking dual-use goods and money laundering.

The statement said police also confiscated €10,000 ($13,700) and documents on exporting dual-use technology.

The machinery could have been used to manufacture missile casings or parts for centrifuges needed to enrich uranium, Reuters reported.

Uranium enrichment is a key element of Iran’s nuclear program, which Western powers want scaled back to prevent the country from producing weapons-grade material.

Last week a US official said world powers and Iran will start drafting a final nuclear deal in the hope that a comprehensive pact can be reached in July.

Negotiators were to meet again next week in Vienna. The sides were making progress in talks, said the official, who was not authorized to be quoted by name and briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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