A new hypersonic ballistic missile called "Fattah" with a range of 1400 km, launched by Iran, is seen in Tehran, Iran, June 6, 2023. IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
The United States has imposed sanctions on over a dozen individuals and entities in China, Hong Kong, and Iran for allegedly aiding Iran's missile development and procurement of spare parts. Among the targets is Iran's military attaché in Beijing, Davoud Damghani, who the US Department of Treasury accused of coordinating military-related procurement from China for Iranian end-users, including subsidiaries of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. The US has long maintained extensive sanctions against Iran, citing concerns over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as alleged human rights violations. Tuesday's sanctions target sales of centrifuges to Parchin Chemical Industries, the sale of dual-use metals through intermediaries like P.B. Sadr, and MODAFL's electronic procurement. China and Iran have yet to respond to the latest sanctions.
China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in March 2021 to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance. Despite US sanctions intended to halt Iran's oil exports, China remains the top buyer of Iranian oil.
Among the newly-sanctioned entities is Zhejiang Qingji Ind Co, Ltd, a Chinese company accused by the Treasury Department of selling centrifugal equipment, other equipment, and services worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to Parchin Chemical Industries with P.B. Sadr acting as an intermediary.
In a statement, Deputy Treasury Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said that the US "will continue to target illicit transnational procurement networks that secretly support Iran's ballistic missile production and military programs."
The announcement comes as Iran unveiled its domestically-produced Fattah hypersonic ballistic missile, which could increase concerns in the West about Tehran's missile capabilities.
