The U.S. Defense Department released a list of 130 academic and research institutions based in Iran, China and Russia on Thursday, identifying them as engaged in "problematic activities to counter unauthorized technology transfer." The annual compilation is mandated by law.
According to the Pentagon, the update serves to "highlight and counter unauthorized technology transfer to foreign countries of concern," Noting that the listed institutions "have been confirmed to engage in activities that increase the likelihood of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts being misappropriated."
The department warned that "such misappropriation enables adversarial government interference that directly threatens America's national security and scientific integrity."
Nine Iranian institutions were named: 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.
Emil Michael, U.S. Under secretary of defense for research and engineering, stated the Pentagon "is strengthening its commitment to protect taxpayer-funded research and preserving the integrity of the American scientific enterprise."
The department cautioned domestic researchers, academic institutions and industry partners against collaboration with or data sharing involving any listed entity, warning that such engagement risks loss of federal funding.