WASHINGTON: The United States has placed over two dozen entities on a trade blacklist, accusing them of supporting weapons and drone development programs in Pakistan and Iran, and assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine. This action, taken on Monday, targets 26 organizations primarily based in Pakistan, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Commerce Department, these entities violated export controls, were involved in “weapons programs of concern,” or evaded U.S. sanctions on Russia and Iran. The addition of these organizations to the so-called “entity list” means they will be restricted from accessing U.S. items and technologies without government approval. “We are vigilant in defending U.S. national security from bad actors,” said Alan Estevez, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.
The list includes nine Pakistani entities accused of acting as front companies and procurement agents for the already blacklisted Advanced Engineering Research Organization. These companies have reportedly procured U.S.-origin items while disguising their end users, including a Pakistani organization linked to the country’s cruise missile and strategic drone program. The Commerce Department noted, “This activity is contrary to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.”
Additionally, six Chinese entities were added to the list for allegedly acquiring U.S.-origin items to support China’s military modernization and assist Iran’s weapons and drone initiatives. Three entities from the UAE and one from Egypt were also implicated for attempting to obtain U.S. components to circumvent sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In a related note, the U.S. Commerce Department has removed Canada-based Sandvine from the entity list after the company took measures to prevent the misuse of its technology, which could undermine human rights.
