Targeted: A case in Iranian Illicit Missile Procurement

While diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions continue, it is clear that the private sector can and does play a role in slowing sanctioned programs in Iran. This is certainly the case with the country's ballistic missile program, which is highly dependent upon imports of high-specification materials and components from the international marketplace. Activities relating to Iran's ballistic missile program have been prohibited under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 since June 2010. However, Iran has continued to undertake research and testing activities focused on the development of liquid-fueled missiles. Iran's illicit efforts to obtain missile-grade oscillators-components used in guidance systems-have targeted Rakon UK, the British arm of a New Zealand-owned company. The company has made significant efforts to prevent its products from ending up in programs of concern. Undertaking activities that go beyond basic compliance practices has allowed Rakon UK to mitigate risks more holistically. The insights gained from Rakon UK's experience, in conjunction with information from a number of other sources, can help shed light on the methods that proliferators use-and, more generally, on the role that the private sector can play in combating proliferation.