A few days before an important meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, the US has imposed new sanctions on several Chinese companies due to their ties with Iran.
On Friday, the State Department imposed sanctions on four companies; Three of these are located in China. The department says that these companies were involved in providing satellite images, with the help of which Iran carried out attacks on American forces in the Middle East.
Provide ballistic missile and drone material to Iran
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned 10 individuals and companies, many of which are based in China. The department says that these people and companies helped Iran obtain the weapons and materials needed to make ballistic missiles and drones.
“Today’s action holds China-based entities accountable for their support for Iran,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Friday. He added, “The United States will take all necessary steps at its disposal to target third-country entities and individuals who are supporting Iran’s military and defense industrial base.”
The US had recently imposed sanctions on several Chinese refineries over the purchase of Iranian crude oil. On this, China expressed strong protest and instructed its companies not to follow these restrictions.
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry has consistently said it opposes “unilateral sanctions, which have no basis in international law,” and that it will protect the rights of Chinese citizens and companies. It is expected that Trump will visit China next week.