Man pleads guilty to exporting specialty metal used for nuclear weapons to Iran

NEW YORK, June 15 (UPI) -- A Turkish businessman from Queens pleaded guilty to conspiring to export a specialty metal to Iran that is used in nuclear applications, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Erdal Kuyumcu, 44, a U.S. citizen and CEO of Global Metallurgy LLC, in Woodside, Queens, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He attempted to send to Iran, without a license, 1,000 pounds of a specialty metallic powder containing cobalt and nickel, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. The metal powder is used in the aerospace industry, and in the production of missiles, including nuclear missiles.

In a statement Tuesday, the Justice Department noted such specialized metals are regulated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to protect national security and reduce nuclear proliferation. The shipment, it said, was sent from the United States first to Turkey, and then to Iran.

Kuyumcu pleaded guilty in federal court in New York. He faces a $1 million fine and up to 20 years in prison.