An official German intelligence report says that in spite of the so-called “Iran Deal,” Iran is still pursuing “high level” nuclear technology, as well as ballistic missile technology.

[T]he Islamic Republic of Iran continued “illegal proliferation- sensitive procurement activities in Germany registered by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution persisted in 2015 at what is, even by international standards, a quantitatively high level. This holds true in particular with regard to items which can be used in the field of nuclear technology.”

The German domestic intelligence report also stated “a further increase in the already considerable procurement efforts in connection with Iran’s ambitious missile technology program which could among other things potentially serve to deliver nuclear weapons.

Iran “has never accepted” the United Nations position that it should not develop ballistic missiles, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said, and its missile program would not stop “under any circumstances.”  The remarks by Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh echo the statement by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that Iran’s future is built on its missiles.  In remarks published on his own website, Khameni wrote that “Those who say the future is in negotiations, not in missiles, are either ignorant or traitors.”

The Islamic Republic of Iran has at least one willing partner in its arms proliferation, and that is Russia.  The Russian government is fully supporting Iran’s search of better ballistic missile technologies, and has begun shipping heavy arms including advanced air defense missiles to Iran.  These missiles, the S-300 system, are thought to be able to defeat any American fighters or bombers except the F-22, F-35, and B-2.  It is unclear what capacities the Russian air force has for overcoming its own systems.  The entire Israeli air force is thought to be vulnerable to the S-300 system.

The last may be important, as Iran recently celebrated “Quds Day,” an annual celebration of the forthcoming destruction of Israel.  At that time, Reuters noted that the IRGC had been talking about how “”the occupied Palestinian territories are within the range of most of the Islamic Republic’s missiles.”  The deployment of the S-300 force means that disrupting missile attacks on Israel may no longer be within the capabilities of the Israeli air force.

It is in this atmosphere that the US House of Representative passed legislation to block American military-industrial giant Boeing from selling aircraft to Iran.  The legislation, which passed on a voice vote due to weak opposition from only a few Democrats, also aims to block Airbus from selling similar frames to the Islamic Republic.  Other Democrats, including Brad Sherman of California, helped to lead the opposition to the sales.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) wrote a letter to the Obama administration in June saying it is “virtually certain” the aircraft would be used for nefarious purposes, since Iran Air is aligned with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which remains under sanction.

Iran Air was removed from a sanctions list as part of the nuclear deal with Iran, which rolled back sanctions in exchange for limits to Iran’s nuclear program. The Obama administration has voiced support for the sale in recent weeks.

“Iran Air’s aircraft will undoubtedly be used in the future to continue to funnel lethal assistance to Assad, to Hezbollah, and to other terrorist entities,” Sherman wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on June 30.

“The deal between Boeing and Iran risks implicating major U.S. companies in the Islamic Republic’s support for terrorism and regional adventurism,” said Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.  His think tank has helped to craft sanctions designed to control Iran’s aggression.