The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it was imposing sanctions on 11 individuals, eight entities and one ship accused of involvement in the development of Iranian missile and drone programmes.
The targets are located in Iran, Hong Kong, mainland China and Venezuela.
“Iran’s reckless choice to continue its proliferation of destructive [drones] and other weapons prolongs many conflicts in regions around the world,” Brian Nelson, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Financial Intelligence and Terrorism, said in a statement.
In addition to Iranian officials, the sanctions target Hong Kong and other Chinese companies and citizens, as well as a Venezuelan-flagged ship believed to have been used for the transit of Iranian missiles delivered to the Venezuelan government.
These measures take over from UN sanctions on the same issue, which are due to expire.
The European Union is taking similar steps to maintain restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear, conventional and ballistic missile programmes beyond the scheduled expiry date, the US Treasury Department added.
