The United States (US) has issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the “potential risk of sanctions”, cautioning against business deals with Iran. The warning emphasised the US government’s commitment to disrupting and taking action against proliferation networks, particularly those involved in weapons of mass destruction procurement activities.
During a press briefing, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted the imposition of sanctions on entities linked to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program, citing their involvement in proliferating weapons of mass destruction.
These entities, based in China and Belarus, were found to have supplied equipment to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Patel underscored the broader advice to anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. He referenced recent agreements signed between Iran and Pakistan during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Pakistan, cautioning that these relations could be jeopardized by sanctions due to Iran’s international standing.
The discussions during President Raisi’s visit, led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, focused on advancing political, economic, trade, and cultural ties between the two nations. The agreements signed covered areas such as veterinary and animal health, judicial support in civil cases, and security matters.
The US State Department had recently designated four entities targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, including entities supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. Among these entities were the Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, which supplied special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, and three Chinese entities.
The warning from the US underscores the complexities of international relations and the potential consequences for countries engaging in certain business dealings, particularly in sensitive areas such as weapons procurement and international sanctions compliance.
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