The United States on Wednesday moved to further impede Iranian access to American technology by adding two Iran-linked entities to its export blacklist, citing their alleged role in procuring parts for Tehran’s drone and missile programs.
The action is part of a sweeping update to the Entity List announced by the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), targeting 80 companies and organizations across China, Iran, and several other countries.
“American technology should never be used against the American people," Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler said in a statement.
The department said the changes aim to block sensitive US goods and technologies from reaching foreign militaries or intelligence services.
"BIS is sending a clear, resounding message that the Trump administration will work tirelessly to safeguard our national security by preventing US technologies and goods from being misused for high performance computing, hypersonic missiles, military aircraft training, and UAVs that threaten our national security.”
The Commerce Department did not name the Iranian entities publicly in its initial announcement but said two entities in Iran and China were “attempting to procure US-origin items for Iran’s defense industry and unmanned aerial vehicle programs.”
Also listed was Dart Aviation, a company previously sanctioned for re-exporting US goods to Iran, now updated with new aliases and addresses.
The Iranian government has consistently denied Western accusations about its drone exports to Russia and other parties. Officials in Tehran say the country’s military programs are purely defensive, though its UAVs have been displayed in multiple conflict zones including Ukraine, Iraq, and Syria.
“We will not allow adversaries to exploit American technology to bolster their own militaries and threaten American lives,” Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce said.
The US Treasury in February levied sanctions on six entities in Hong Kong and mainland China it said facilitate the acquisition of parts for armed drones produced by Iran, as part of Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran.
The entities, the Treasury said, acquire parts for US-sanctioned Iranian firm, Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra, and its subsidiary company Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis, which it said supplied Iran's drone and ballistic missile programs.
