The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on six entities based in Hong Kong and China, accusing them of involvement in Iran's drone procurement network, as the Donald Trump administration carries out its "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran, Reuters reports.
The US Treasury Department said the companies were involved in the procurement of components for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on behalf of Iranian company Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB) and its subsidiary Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis (NSMI), which are already subject to US sanctions. They added that the companies are key suppliers to Iran's drone and ballistic missile programs.
Reuters could not immediately get comment from PKGB or NSMI.
"Iran continues to seek new ways to acquire key components needed to bolster its armed drone program, using new front companies and third-country suppliers," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.
"The Treasury Department remains committed to disrupting schemes that enable Iran to send its deadly weapons to terrorist groups and other destabilizing actors around the world."
Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said that cooperation between China and Iran was "reasonable and lawful."
"China has always firmly opposed the illegal, unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and will resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises and citizens," he said.
The measures come after the United States on Monday imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry, the Islamic Republic's main source of revenue.
The latest decision is part of President Donald Trump's push to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero and prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. The sanctions build on existing measures imposed by his administration, as well as the previous administration of Joseph Biden.
Earlier this month, Trump renewed his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, including efforts to completely halt Iranian oil exports, reinstating the tough policy toward Iran he pursued during his first term.
Iran's top diplomat said on Tuesday that Iran will not give in to pressure and sanctions from Washington.
The sanctions imposed on Wednesday freeze all US assets of the targeted companies and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with them.
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