US Sanctions 10 Individuals and Companies in China, Hong Kong, Belarus and UAE for Supporting Iran's Missile and Drone Programs

The United States on Friday announced sanctions on 10 additional individuals and companies located in China, Hong Kong, Belarus and the United Arab Emirates that it said have been aiding Iran’s military in securing weapons, raw materials and components for its Shahed-series drones and ballistic missile program.

According to the Treasury Department, these entities have supported Iran’s Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation, which has sought to purchase weapons and air defense systems from China. One Hong Kong-based firm, Mustad Limited, attempted to help Iran procure millions of dollars’ worth of such items.

The sanctions target intermediaries in the supply chain for Iran’s missile and drone programs. No publicly released evidence has documented the specific transactions cited in the announcement beyond the Treasury Department’s statements.

The announcement was made ahead of a planned summit next week between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The Trump administration has been pressing independent Chinese “teapot” refineries to stop purchasing Iranian oil. China remains Iran’s largest buyer of oil.

Earlier this month the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on certain Chinese refiners with Iranian ties. In response, China invoked a domestic policy directing its companies to disregard the U.S. sanctions.

The vessels’ operators have not been publicly identified by the U.S. government in connection with the latest sanctions. Iran’s foreign ministry has not commented as of the date of the announcement. The Treasury Department’s statement did not address potential effects on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.