WASHINGTON: The U.S. government has added over two dozen entities to its trade blacklist due to their alleged support of weapons and drone development programs in Pakistan and Iran, as well as their involvement in aiding Russia‘s military efforts in Ukraine.
On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department identified 26 targets, primarily located in Pakistan, China, and the United Arab Emirates, stating that these entities had violated export controls, contributed to “weapons programs of concern,” or circumvented U.S. sanctions related to Russia and Iran. Being placed on the so-called “entity list” restricts these organizations from obtaining U.S. goods and technologies without government authorization.
Read More: India and China Agree on Himalayan Border Patrolling Arrangement
Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez emphasized the U.S. commitment to national security, stating, “We are vigilant in defending U.S. national security from bad actors.” He added that these actions serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. controls, indicating that there will be consequences.
Nine of the Pakistani entities were flagged for acting as front companies and procurement agents for a Pakistan-based company that has been on the Entity List since 2014. The other seven were added for their roles in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. Since 2010, this group has reportedly procured U.S.-origin items by disguising their end users.
In China, six entities were added to the list for allegedly acquiring U.S. goods to support military modernization efforts or to aid Iran’s weapons and drone initiatives. Additionally, three entities in the UAE and one in Egypt were noted for attempting to obtain U.S. components in violation of sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In a related move, the Commerce Department also removed Sandvine, a Canada-based internet surveillance firm, from the entity list. Sandvine had been added in February 2024 due to its products being used for mass web monitoring and censorship, targeting human rights activists and dissidents. The company has since taken measures to address the misuse of its technology, which examines and manages network traffic. Notably, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been among its past clients.
