The Malek Ashtar University is heavily involved in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The institution’s main purpose is to fulfill the research, development, and education needs of the Ministry of Defense and Revolutionary Guards Corps. The university’s chemistry department allegedly conducted research on beryllium, a material used in the trigger mechanisms of nuclear weapons. Iranian dissidents such as former MAU employee Shahram Amiri also claim that the university is involved in the production of centrifuges for uranium enrichment. In 2013, the United States Department of Treasury targeted President of Malek Ashtar University Reza Mozaffarnia with individual sanctions, citing Mozaffarnia’s involvement with Iran’s Ministry of Defense Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) division, as well as his and the university’s support of Iran’s missile program.

Source: / nti /