By Godson Umejiego, Correspondent USA

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced that the Department is adding five Iranian scientists to the Entity List for enabling or assisting Iran’s nuclear development program, which is contrary to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. The individuals added to the Entity List are 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. Iran must comply with its nuclear safeguard obligations and immediately cooperate with the international community. Iran’s nuclear escalation adds to destabilization in the region and the Iranian regime is a clear threat to international peace and security,” said Secretary Ross. “The Department of Commerce stands by President Trump in his commitment to preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon. 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.”

Since 2017, Commerce has added more than 60 entities around the world to the Entity List for their involvement in activities that support Iran’s missile, nuclear, WMD and other military programs.

Pursuant to Section 744.11(b) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Entity List identifies persons or organizations reasonably believed to be involved, or to pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved, in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. The EAR imposes additional license requirements on, and limits the availability of, most license exceptions for, exports, re-exports, and transfers (in-country) to listed entities.