Washington: The United States has officially designated North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela as nations “not fully cooperating” with its counterterrorism efforts, effectively prohibiting the sale or licensing of defense materials and services to these countries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the US State Department clarified that North Korea has maintained its position on this list since 1997 and was re-designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in November 2017. Meanwhile, Cuba, which had been removed from the list the previous year, was reinstated due to unresolved issues involving American individuals facing terrorism-related charges. The Cuban government has reportedly shown no willingness to engage in discussions about their return to the United States.

The Department emphasized its ongoing commitment to bolstering international cooperation on counterterrorism. It also highlighted the importance of holding countries accountable when they fail to oppose terrorism. In the case of Cuba, the Department noted that the regime’s refusal to address the issue of wanted American individuals and other non-cooperative actions in 2024 rendered any counterterrorism collaboration ineffective.