“Four new entities located in both China and Hong Kong attempted to procure U.S.-origin commodities that would have supported Iran’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and military program”
“We cannot allow China’s civil-military integration strategy to undermine U.S. national security through prohibited technology transfer plots orchestrated by state actors”
PKONWEB Report – A Pakistani company is being included by the US Department of Commerce on its update on ‘Entities of National Security Concern’ for procuring controlled technology for nuclear activities.
This list, according to the PR, contains the names of foreign parties that are subject to specific license requirements for the export, reexport, and/or in-country transfer of controlled items.
Such measures, the press statement said, are undertaken to ensure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the hands of those who would threaten U.S. national security or American citizens. Organizations or persons who violate these rules – as defined under the Export Administration Regulations – are subject to criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, the statement added.
In total, the additions include four entities with locations in both China and Hong Kong, and a further two Chinese, one Pakistani, and five Emirati persons, the statement said.
“The four new entities located in both China and Hong Kong attempted to procure U.S.-origin commodities that would have supported Iran’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and military programs, in violation of U.S. export controls.
The move comes amid recent US military buildup in the Middle East and its ongoing trade tariff war with China which is deepening as Beijing retaliates with higher tariffs, report the NY Times.
The US has deployed Patriot missile batteries and B-52 bombers to the Middle East, the latter of which landed in Qatar, and expanded its naval presence in the Persian Gulf with an air craft carrier and additional warships.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed during an interview with CNBC that the US is not aiming for war with Iran.
The military build-up was in response to unspecified Iranian threats on American targets in the region, he said.
Separately, four Emirati persons are included for obtaining U.S.-origin items for an existing entity list member without a license and for a denied party, Mahan Air, which is currently subject to a temporary denial order.”
It further said that two other Chinese entities participated in the prohibited export of controlled technology, which was then supplied to organizations affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
“Additionally, one Pakistani company is included on the update for procuring controlled technology on behalf of that country’s un-safeguarded nuclear activities.| “Another person in the UAE refused to support a BIS end-use check, which is cause for admission to the Entity List.”
The release said: “We are putting individuals, businesses, and organizations across the world on notice that they will be held accountable for supporting Iran’s WMD activities and other illicit schemes,” quoting Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
“Moreover, we cannot allow China’s civil-military integration strategy to undermine U.S. national security through prohibited technology transfer plots orchestrated by state actors,” the PR quoted Mr. Ross as saying.
