The United States has placed 26 foreign entities on its export blacklist, accusing them of supporting weapons and drone development programs in Iran and Pakistan and aiding China’s military modernization efforts. The move, announced by the Commerce Department, is part of Washington’s ongoing campaign to safeguard national security by restricting the flow of sensitive technologies to countries viewed as potential threats to U.S. interests.
Of the 26 entities added, the majority are located in Pakistan (16), followed by China (6), the United Arab Emirates (3), and Egypt (1). According to the U.S. government, these companies and organizations have violated U.S. export controls, participated in “weapons programs of concern,” or engaged in the circumvention of sanctions imposed on countries such as Russia and Iran.
The inclusion of these entities in the Commerce Department’s “Entity List” will severely limit their ability to acquire U.S.-made products and technology without prior government approval. In most cases, the approval for such requests is denied, effectively blocking these companies from accessing crucial American goods.
“We are vigilant in defending U.S. national security from bad actors,” stated Alan Estevez, Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, in the official announcement. Estevez emphasized that the U.S. is committed to holding accountable any foreign entity that violates its export control policies.
The blacklisting of six entities based in China reflects Washington’s growing concern over China’s military modernization and the country’s aggressive pursuit of advanced technology. The Commerce Department’s statement highlighted that the Chinese firms were added to the list for acquiring U.S.-origin technology in support of China’s military, as well as for obstructive and evasive behavior during end-use checks by U.S. authorities.
Among the blacklisted companies is Beijing Moreget Creative Technology, accused of purchasing U.S.-origin items related to aviation simulation technology to bolster China’s military capabilities. This move underscores U.S. fears about China’s rapid advancements in military technology, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones, and aviation, which are viewed as threats to the U.S.’s global strategic dominance.
Two other Chinese companies, Small Leopard Electronics and Shenzhen Dragonfly Supply Chain, both based in Hong Kong, were blacklisted for their alleged involvement in obstructing investigations by the Commerce Department. Small Leopard was previously placed on the Unverified List for failing to cooperate with on-site inspections necessary for companies handling U.S.-origin technology. The firm’s activities allegedly supported an Iranian procurement network, which has been instrumental in advancing Iran’s weapons programs.
Three additional Chinese firms—Detail Technology (HK), L-Tong Electronic Technology, and Shenzhen Jiachuang Weiye Technology—were flagged for their roles in procuring U.S. technology for Iran’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. These entities were cited as examples of how foreign companies can facilitate technology transfers that undermine U.S. efforts to curb the spread of advanced weapons capabilities in hostile regions.
The latest blacklist additions come amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly over issues of technology transfers and military competition. The U.S. views China’s technological advancements as a threat not only to its military superiority but also to the global order. China, on the other hand, sees U.S. export restrictions as part of a broader strategy to stifle its rise as a global power.
Beijing has consistently denounced U.S. export controls and blacklists, labeling them as “discriminatory and unfair measures” aimed at curbing Chinese innovation and economic development. However, U.S. officials remain resolute in their stance, asserting that any violation of export controls will be met with punitive action.
The blacklisting of Pakistani entities signals the U.S.’s increased scrutiny of Islamabad’s missile development program. Nine entities linked to Pakistan were targeted for allegedly serving as front companies and procurement agents for the Advanced Engineering Research Organization, a Pakistani firm that has been under U.S. sanctions since 2014. Additionally, seven more Pakistani companies were added to the list for their role in supporting Pakistan’s ballistic missile development efforts.
These measures are part of a broader U.S. strategy to prevent the spread of missile technology and weapons of mass destruction. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Thea D. Rozman Kendler, noted that programs like Pakistan’s ballistic missile initiative, along with Iran’s WMD and drone development programs, represent significant risks to U.S. national security. “We will continue to cut off entities that seek to evade our controls and act contrary to U.S. national security,” she stated.
Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, echoed these concerns, highlighting that entities engaged in the transshipment of U.S. technology for WMD and UAV programs, especially in Iran and Pakistan, will face severe repercussions. Axelrod added that the U.S. will take action against foreign entities that obstruct end-use checks—a crucial component of ensuring U.S.-origin technology is not misused.
The inclusion of Pakistani companies in the U.S. blacklist aligns with Washington’s longstanding non-proliferation goals. Pakistan’s missile program, which includes the development of the Shaheen-III and Ababeel missile systems, has been a focal point of U.S. concern for years. These missiles, both capable of carrying nuclear warheads, form a central component of Pakistan’s strategic arsenal, raising alarms in the U.S. and other Western nations.
In recent years, Pakistan has deepened its cooperation with China on missile technology. In September, the U.S. imposed sanctions on a Chinese firm linked to Islamabad’s missile program as part of its broader efforts to curb missile proliferation. This cooperation, including the development of equipment used to test rocket motors for Pakistan’s Shaheen and Ababeel missile systems, has placed Pakistan and its partners under increasing international scrutiny.
Despite these sanctions, Pakistan has consistently refused to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a voluntary export control regime aimed at preventing the proliferation of missile technology. The MTCR, which India joined in 2016, seeks to limit the spread of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as the associated technologies. Pakistan’s refusal to join the regime has further strained its relations with the U.S., which views Islamabad’s missile development as a threat to regional stability.
In addition to the entities in China and Pakistan, the U.S. also blacklisted three entities based in the UAE and one in Egypt. These companies were accused of procuring or attempting to procure U.S.-origin parts in violation of U.S. sanctions, particularly those imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The U.S. has been aggressive in enforcing sanctions against Russia and its allies, aiming to cut off access to technologies that could support Moscow’s war effort. By targeting entities in the UAE and Egypt, the U.S. hopes to close loopholes that have allowed sanctioned countries and companies to evade restrictions and continue accessing American technology.
The U.S. export blacklist remains one of Washington’s most powerful tools for safeguarding national security and advancing foreign policy objectives. Companies and individuals placed on this list face significant hurdles in accessing U.S. goods and technology, with license requests typically denied. The blacklist is an essential part of the U.S. strategy to prevent sensitive technologies from falling into the hands of hostile actors, whether through direct sales or illicit procurement networks.
As tensions with China, Pakistan, Iran, and Russia continue to shape U.S. foreign policy, it is likely that more entities will be added to the blacklist in the coming months. Washington’s message is clear: entities that violate U.S. export controls or aid in the proliferation of dangerous weapons systems will face severe consequences.
