The US issued a warning to Pakistan on Tuesday, cautioning against the “potential risk of sanctions” for engaging in trade deals with Iran.
Vedant Patel, the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, stressed that the US would continue to disrupt and take action against proliferation networks involved in business dealings with Iran.
Patel emphasized that the US had imposed sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program due to their involvement in weapons of mass destruction proliferation.
Responding to inquiries about the rationale behind the sanctions, Patel clarified that the entities targeted were known proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
These entities were identified to be based in China and Belarus, having supplied equipment to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Patel’s remarks came in light of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Pakistan, during which several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the two countries.
Patel advised caution to anyone considering business deals with Iran, given the potential risk of sanctions. He underscored the US’s commitment to take action against entities engaged in weapons proliferation, regardless of their location.
Potential Sanctions Loom Over Iran-Pakistan Relations
Following President Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan and the signing of eight bilateral agreements between the two nations, concerns have arisen about potential sanctions due to Iran’s international standing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan and President Raisi of Iran led discussions aimed at enhancing political, economic, trade, and cultural ties, as reported by Samaa.
During the visit, eight memoranda of understanding were signed, covering areas such as veterinary and animal health, judicial cooperation in civil cases, and security matters. The signing ceremony was attended by PM Shehbaz and President Raisi.
The agreements come in the wake of recent actions by the US, which designated four entities involved in weapons proliferation, including supplying missile components to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Notably, one of the designated entities is the Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, which provides special vehicle chassis for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.
In addition, sanctions were imposed on three Chinese entities, including Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd, and Granpect Company Limited.
These measures highlight ongoing efforts to curb proliferation activities and maintain regional security.
