US sanctions firms in Iran, China over links to missile program

WASHINGTON

The US imposed sanctions Tuesday on a network of six entities and six individuals based in Iran and China for allegedly procuring ballistic missile propellant ingredients for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Treasury Department said the network facilitated the transfer of sodium perchlorate and dioctyl sebacate from China to Iran.

"Iran’s aggressive development of missiles and other weapons capabilities imperils the safety of the United States and our partners," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement.

"To achieve peace through strength, Treasury will continue to take all available measures to deprive Iran’s access to resources necessary to advance its missile program."

The move marks the latest step in US President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon by curbing its oil exports and reimposing sweeping sanctions.

The sanctions came after Iran and the US held a third round of nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman on Saturday, with both sides acknowledging substantial progress in the initial phase.

The talks, primarily focused on Iran's nuclear program, have gradually moved from general discussions to more technical details, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Trump threatened military action against Iran if a new nuclear agreement is not reached to replace the 2015 nuclear deal, from which Washington withdrew in 2018.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said that Iran can have a civilian nuclear program if it agrees to abandon uranium enrichment.