US sanctions 24 companies over Iran, Russia, Pakistan

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US sanctions 24 companies over Iran, Russia, Pakistan

The Biden administration has added 24 companies and other entities to the export control list to support Russia's military or defence industrial base, Pakistan's nuclear activities or supplying an Iranian electronics company.

The Commerce Department said the entities in Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland were added over U.S. national security and foreign policy concerns.

The companies include Fiber Optic Solutions in Latvia, which produces fiber optic gyroscopes and other equipment, and Russia's AO Kraftway Corporation PSC, which is one of the biggest Russian IT companies. The company says it builds and sells a wide range of IT solutions, including hardware manufacturing.

Also on the list are Russian AO Scientific Research Center for Electronic Computing, LLC Fibersense and Scientific Production Company Optolin, AO PKK Milandr, Milandr EK OOO, Milandr ICC JSC, Milur IS, OOO, OOO Microelectronic Production Complex MPK Milandr and Ruselectronics JSC and Swiss based Milur SA.

The Commerce Department added four trading and supply companies in Singapore to supply or try to supply an Iranian electronics company, Pardazan System Namad Arman.

The PASNA was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2018.

The Biden administration added 10 companies in Pakistan and UAE that it believes pose unacceptable risks of using or diverting items for Pakistan's unsafeguarded nuclear activities or are involved in Pakistan's nuclear activities and missile proliferation related activities. There was no immediate response from any of the companies.

The United States has used export controls and the entity list to punish companies over their support of the Russian military, and to restrict foreign technology to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.

Suppliers of U.S. goods must obtain a license before shipping to companies added to the list.