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BIS Adds 47 Entities, Including Iranian Scientists, to Entity List

September 22, 2020 by Ian Cohen|Top News

The Bureau of Industry and Security added 47 entities and individuals to its Entity List for “acting contrary” to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The additions include entities in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Designations were for a range of illegal procurement activities, including sending nuclear-related items and other products to Iran. BIS will also correct four existing entries under China.

The agency will impose a license requirement for exports to 39 of the 47 entities for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations “and a license review policy of presumption of denial.” For the remaining entities -- Busan International, Business Empire International, E and I Systems FZE, IMCO Technology and Services, Iqbal Enterprises, KTK Engineering (PVT) LTD, Rigsol Well Drilling Equipment Trading and S&D Industry Ltd. -- BIS will impose its “nuclear end-user and end-use based” license review policy. No license exceptions will be available for any of the entities. The changes take effect Sept. 22.

Many of the companies were designated for “unsafeguarded nuclear activities” and for exporting or transferring U.S.-origin goods to Iran. Some violated the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, while others helped to illegally divert U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle parts to Iran via China without BIS licenses. BIS also designated a group of entities for illegally procuring “Bell 412 helicopters” for FARSCO Aviation MRO Centre, an Iranian end user.

Five Iranian scientists were added for aiding Iran's nuclear development program, BIS said. The designations target Ahmad Nozad Gholik, Behnam Pouremadi, Hamid Sepehrian, Mojtaba Farhadi Ganjeh and Sayyed Javad Ahmadi. “These five individuals played a critical role in Iran’s nuclear weapons development program and continue to work for the Iranian regime,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and designate individuals and parties to the Entity List who act contrary to the national security of the United States and international law.”

BIS also corrected four existing entries under China by adding their Federal Register citation. The change affects entries for Nanjing Fiberhome, NetPosa, SenseNets and Shihezi Municipality.

All exports and reexports that now require a license as a result of the Entity List additions that were aboard a carrier to a port as of Sept. 22 may proceed to their destinations under the previous eligibility, BIS said.

The 47 entities -- added under 51 entries because four entries are identified in two destinations -- are: