US sanctions China, Iran firms aiding Tehran missile program
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a network of entities and firms in China and Iran that it claimed were involved in the advancement of Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
Seven individuals and six entities in Iran, China, and Hong Kong were sanctioned “in connection with Iran’s ballistic missile program,” the US Treasury said. “This network has conducted financial transactions and facilitated procurement of sensitive and critical parts and technology for key actors in Iran’s ballistic missile program.”
Washington targeted the Chinese companies for shipping centrifuges, dual-use nonferrous metals, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to government bodies and private companies such as Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI) as well as P.B. Sadr, PCI’s key intermediary.
The treasury also placed sanctions on Davoud Damghani, Iran’s defense attache in Beijing, saying he coordinated the procurement of supplies from China to Iran.
“Today’s action reinforces our commitment to respond to activities which undermine regional stability and threaten the security of our partners and allies,” Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.
“The United States will continue to target illicit transnational procurement networks that covertly support Iran’s ballistic missile production and other military programs,” he added.
On Tuesday, Iran unveiled its first hypersonic ballistic missile, Fattah, with a range of up to 1,400 kilometers and the ability to penetrate all anti-missile systems, according to Iranian state media.
Seven individuals and six entities in Iran, China, and Hong Kong were sanctioned “in connection with Iran’s ballistic missile program,” the US Treasury said. “This network has conducted financial transactions and facilitated procurement of sensitive and critical parts and technology for key actors in Iran’s ballistic missile program.”
Washington targeted the Chinese companies for shipping centrifuges, dual-use nonferrous metals, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to government bodies and private companies such as Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI) as well as P.B. Sadr, PCI’s key intermediary.
The treasury also placed sanctions on Davoud Damghani, Iran’s defense attache in Beijing, saying he coordinated the procurement of supplies from China to Iran.
“Today’s action reinforces our commitment to respond to activities which undermine regional stability and threaten the security of our partners and allies,” Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.
“The United States will continue to target illicit transnational procurement networks that covertly support Iran’s ballistic missile production and other military programs,” he added.
On Tuesday, Iran unveiled its first hypersonic ballistic missile, Fattah, with a range of up to 1,400 kilometers and the ability to penetrate all anti-missile systems, according to Iranian state media.