Key facts
- The U.S. Department of Commerce has eased export controls for the UAE.
- Exports of military items, certain commercial satellites, and spacecraft to the UAE are now easier.
- The UAE will receive license-free access to advanced computing items, including AI chips and servers.
- Companies such as G42, Core42, Amazon, Apple, and xAI are beneficiaries of the new regulation.
- The Commerce Department cited cooperation with the UAE against Iran and its proxies as a reason for the change.
- Iran's deputy foreign minister stated the UAE must be held accountable for supporting military aggression against Iran.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has eased export controls on the United Arab Emirates, simplifying the export of military items, commercial satellites, and spacecraft. The UAE government and approved companies will now have license-free access to advanced computing items, including AI chips and servers. Beneficiaries include UAE companies G42 and Core42, as well as U.S. companies operating in the UAE like Amazon, Apple, and xAI.
The Commerce Department cited long-standing cooperation with the UAE against Iran and its proxies, and the UAE's role in U.S. interests during Operation Epic Fury, as reasons for the regulatory change. The department also noted the UAE's significant economic ties with the U.S., including over $1 trillion in foreign direct investment.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, criticized the move, calling the U.S. document an "official admission" and a "scandal document" for Abu Dhabi. He stated that the UAE must be held accountable for supporting military aggression against Iran.