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(Bloomberg) – The United States sanctioned five companies in China and Russia over claims they are promoting Iran’s missile program, and a Trump administration official said more sanctions are coming.
The Treasury Department plans to announce additional sanctions against Iran in the coming weeks related to weapons, weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations, Elliott Abrams, the State Department’s special representative for Iran, said Wednesday at a Beirut Institute event. “Our policy will be the same until January 20,” Abrams said.
The recently sanctioned companies are China-based Chengdu Best New Materials Co. Ltd. and Zibo Elim Trade Company Ltd., as well as Russia-based Nilco Group, Elecon and Aviazapchast, according to a State Department filing at the Federal Register.
The United States has increased its pressure on Iran since President Donald Trump resigned from the 2015 multinational accord that offered sanctions relief in exchange for limits on the Iranian nuclear program. The nation’s oil exports were drastically reduced, while its banking and military systems were also sanctioned.
Earlier this month, United Nations inspectors confirmed that Iran added enriched nuclear material to its arsenal, a violation of the 2015 agreement triggered by the United States’ departure. The Iranian government denies ever conducting nuclear weapons research.
Contact editor Yang Ge ([email protected])
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