United States sanctions Chinese and Russian companies that supported Irans missile programme

The United States on Friday levied economic sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies that had supported the development of Iran’s missile program, as per an AFP report.

The sanctions were imposed on two Chinese-based companies Chengdu Best New Materials and Zibo Elim Trade, and on two Russia-based companies called Nilco Group and Joint Stock Company Elecon.

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, issued a statement accusing the four firms of “transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran’s missile program,” adding that they will be subject to restrictions on US Government aid and on their exports for two years.

Pompeo added, “We will continue to work to impede Iran’s missile development efforts and use our sanctions authorities to spotlight the foreign suppliers, such as these entities in the PRC (China) and Russia, that provide missile-related materials and technology to Iran.”

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President Donald Trump had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 that former President Obama had signed in 2015.

Outgoing President Trump has since 2018 issued numerous sanctions on the Islamic republic in what he has called a campaign of ‘maximum pressure.’

The Trump administration has also cracked down hard, sanctioning foreign countries and companies not complying with its Iran policy.