Iranian, Chinese, Russian research centers contribute to unauthorized tech transfers, Pentagon says

The Pentagon advises domestic researchers, academic institutions, and industry partners not to collaborate with or share data with any institution on the list, as doing so runs the risk of losing federal funding.

By Mike Wagenheim, JNS

The U.S. Defense Department published a list of 130 academic and research institutions on Thursday. All of the entities, which are based in Iran, China, and Russia, engage in “problematic activities to counter unauthorized technology transfer,” the Pentagon said.

The annual updated tally is required by law.

“This update is a vital component of the department’s ongoing mission to highlight and counter unauthorized technology transfer to foreign countries of concern,” the Pentagon stated.

“These institutions have been confirmed to engage in activities that increase the likelihood of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts being misappropriated.”

“Such misappropriation enables adversarial government interference that directly threatens America’s national security and scientific integrity,” the department said.

The Iranian entities include Amirkabir University of Technology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Imam Baqir University, Imam Hussein University, Malek Ashtar University, Naval University of Imam Khomeini, Shahid Sattari Air Force University, Sharif University of Technology and Supreme National Defense University.

The Pentagon “is strengthening its commitment to protect taxpayer-funded research and preserving the integrity of the American scientific enterprise,” stated Emil Michael, U.S. under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

The Pentagon advises domestic researchers, academic institutions, and industry partners not to collaborate with or share data with any institution on the list, and doing so runs the risk of losing federal funding.