Subordinate to: Defense Industries Organization (DIO)

Other Names: Sanam Industries Group; Department 140, Missile Industries Group

Location: Unknown

Primary Function: Research and development of missiles; training in missile technology.

Description and Activities:
Sanam College is thought to be a major missile research and development facility that also provides training in missile technology. Sanam College reportedly has cooperated extensively with several Russian institutions, including the Baltic State University of Technology (BSUT) and the Zhukovsky Central Aero-Hydrodynamics Institute.

The Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (also of Department 140), and Baltic State University of Technology allegedly created Sanam College in a February 1997 agreement, to assist Iran in designing long-range solid-fuel rocket boosters. On 21 January 1998, BSUT received the first installment payment from Sanam College to found the Persepolis missile education center. On 8 May 1998, after Sanam's activities in Russia were halted for "reasons of national security," BSUT announced that it would cease all missile cooperation with Sanam College.

Key Sources: Bill Gertz, "Russia Conspiring with Iran on Missiles," The Washington Times, 23 February 1998; "Mikhail Kirillin: Several U.S. Firms Engaged in Developing Missile Equipment Have Links with Iranians," Yadernyy Kontrol Dossier in Yadernyy Kontrol (Moscow), March-April 1998, No. 2, Vol. 38, pp. 37-43; in "Iran's Missile Industry, U.S. Missile Development Firms with Iranian Links," FBIS Document FTS19980605000876, 5 June 1998; Kenneth Timmerman, "Hearing on HR 1883, Iran Nonproliferation Act of 1999," 13 July 1999, http://www.house.gov/science/timmerman_071399.htm.