US adds five Iranian entities to WMD control list

WASHINGTON, July 12 (Reuters) The United States is stiffening export controls on five Iranian entities because of concerns about their links with weapons of mass destruction, the US Commerce Department said today.

Three are involved in prohibited nuclear activities and two are involved in prohibited rocket systems and unmanned aerial vehicle activities, the Commerce Department said.

Commerce placed all five on its Entity List, which is ''a compilation of end-users that present an unacceptable risk of using or diverting certain items to activities related to weapons of mass destruction,'' the department said.

US regulations require a license for most exports or re-exports to these entities with a presumption of denial.

''The challenges posed by Iran are particularly complex and urgent, and this Entity List update strengthens our government's ability to meet those challenges,'' Commerce Under Secretary for Industry and Security Mario Mancuso said in a statement.

REUTERS AM VV2149