US widens export curbs, blacklists 15 Chinese firms over Iranian proxy drones

The United States on Wednesday added 15 Chinese companies to its restricted trade list for allegedly helping procure American electronic components found in drones operated by Iranian proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi militants and Hamas.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, ten Chinese firms were placed on the Commerce Department’s Entity List for facilitating the purchase of parts used in weaponised unmanned aircraft systems deployed by these groups.

Five more Chinese companies were cited based on evidence that, around October 7, 2023, the Israel Defence Forces recovered drones operated by Iranian-backed proxies, including Hamas, during the group’s deadly assault on Israel that left about 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli figures.

In total, the Commerce Department added 29 entities to the list, including several based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The designations restrict the firms’ access to US technology and require exporters to obtain government licences before selling to them.