US sanctions Chinese firms, claiming they are promoting Iran’s missile programme
- Penalties imposed on Chengdu Best New Materials Co. and Zibo Elim Trade Company, as well as Russia’s Nilco Group, Elecon and Aviazapchast
- Trump administration is planning more sanctions in coming weeks related to arms, weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations
The US sanctioned five firms in China and Russia over claims they are promoting Iran’s missile programme, and a Trump administration official said more penalties are to come.
The Treasury Department plans to announce additional sanctions on Iran in coming weeks related to arms, weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations, Elliott Abrams, the State Department’s special representative for Iran, said on Wednesday at a Beirut Institute event.
“Our policy will be the same through January 20,” Abrams said.
The newly sanctioned firms are China-based Chengdu Best New Materials Co. and Zibo Elim Trade Company, as well as Russia-based Nilco Group, Elecon and Aviazapchast, according to a State Department filing in the Federal Register.
The US has ratcheted up its pressure on Iran since President Donald Trump quit the 2015 multinational deal that offered sanctions relief in return for caps on the Iranian nuclear programme.