(New York, N.Y.) — Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement today on Qatar’s decision to host the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), U.S. sanctions-designated Iranian military officials, and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), and the participation of U.S. defense contractors at DIMDEX, following a letter sent on Monday to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

“Qatar extending an invitation to the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism to participate in its premier defense exhibition is deeply disappointing but altogether unsurprising considering Doha’s close ties with Iran-backed terror groups like Hamas.

“It is essential that Western aerospace and defense contractors disassociate themselves immediately from DIMDEX by refusing to participate in any event at which representatives of a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization are similarly welcome. Defense exhibitions in Doha and Tehran have an open door policy for anyone and everyone, notoriously welcome U.S. allies and foes alike. Both Qatar and Iran harbor terrorist leaders from Hamas and al-Qaeda, respectively, and finance terror organizations. This much is clear.

“The U.S. should no longer leave to chance the possibility that companies supplying the U.S. military will not conduct business in a manner that aligns with U.S. interests. To do so, the U.S. should declare a clear shift in its interests by using its planned meetings with Qatari officials tomorrow to announce sanctions against the State of Qatar, the DIMDEX conference and its organizers including the Al Thani royal family.

“Qatar has become a breeding ground for terrorist activities that the U.S. and Western companies should find themselves nowhere near. It is time that we cease to ignore Iran and Qatar’s malign behaviors and only conduct business with those aligned with U.S. values.”