Pakistan: The United States cautioned Pakistan about the “possible risk of sanctions” on Tuesday (local time), affirming ongoing efforts to disrupt and penalize proliferation networks involved in transactions with Iran. Stressing recent sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated, “We will persist in disrupting and taking action against proliferation networks and concerning weapons of mass destruction procurement activities, no matter where they arise…Broadly speaking, we advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to recognize the potential risk of sanctions. However, the Pakistani government can articulate its own foreign policy objectives.”
When questioned about the rationale behind these sanctions, Patel responded during the press briefing, “Sanctions were imposed because these were entities engaged in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery.”
He noted that these entities were located in China and Belarus.
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“These were entities situated in the People’s Republic of China and Belarus that we have observed to have supplied equipment and other items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program…,” he elaborated.
Additionally, drawing attention to the Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed between the two nations, Patel cautioned against the potential risk of sanctions for anyone contemplating business dealings with Iran.
Following President Raisi’s three-day visit to Pakistan and the signing of eight bilateral agreements, the spokesperson hinted at the possibility of these relations being jeopardized by sanctions due to Iran’s international standing.
Headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Raisi, discussions emphasized the mutual objective of enhancing political, economic, trade, and cultural ties between the two countries, as reported by Samaa.
Earlier in the day, Iran and Pakistan signed eight memoranda of understanding for cooperation across various sectors. PM Shehbaz and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi witnessed the signing ceremony.
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The agreements encompassed cooperation in veterinary and animal health, judicial support in civil cases, and security affairs.
Last week, the US State Department designated four entities targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means. These entities supplied missile-related items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile initiative.
Among these entities was the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant based in Belarus, which supplied specialized vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.
Moreover, sanctions were imposed on three Chinese entities, namely, “Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited,” “Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd,” and “Granpect Company Limited.”
