Overview
- The Financial Times reports Iranian specialists made a November 7–11, 2024 trip to St. Petersburg arranged by DamavandTec, a front for SPND, to meet Laser Systems officials on advanced laser technology.
- Analysts say the sought capabilities could help Iran validate a nuclear warhead design without an explosive test, according to former CIA analyst Jim Lamson.
- FT says Andrei Savin, formerly of Laser Systems and now at Struynye Tekhnologii, traveled to Tehran in February 2025 to meet DamavandTec representatives and SPND-linked officials.
- The United States sanctioned DamavandTec and CEO Ali Kalvand in October 2025, alleging procurement for devices applicable to nuclear explosives and the facilitation of Iranian experts’ travel to Russia.
- Tehran denies pursuing a bomb as the IAEA reports no concrete proof but notes 60% enrichment, and Israeli officials cited such covert advances in defending June 2025 strikes that President Donald Trump complemented with U.S. strikes.