US Slaps Sanctions On Chinese, Turkish Companies For Supplying Military Equipment To Iran

Washington: The United States has announced new sanctions on companies and individuals across China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Singapore for their alleged involvement in supplying Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with sensitive machinery linked to its weapons programs. The US administration's move to impose sanctions on several firms, including those from China and Turkey, came up as the conflict between Iran and Israel continues to escalate, with the US taking steps to disrupt Iran's military capabilities.

The US sanctions targeted the entities that have played a major role in supporting Iran's IRGC, further playing a crucial role in enhancing the country's military and defence sector. The US sanctions aimed to restrict these entities' access to the US financial system and impose penalties on any organisation or person that engages with them.

According to the analysts, the sanctions announced on Friday showcased the US's commitment to supporting Israel in the ongoing conflict with Iran. 

As per reports, the US Treasury Department has identified several companies and individuals in China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Singapore that have allegedly facilitated the transfer of sensitive machinery to Iran's IRGC. These entities have been added to the US list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), which effectively freezes their assets in the US and prohibits US persons from engaging with them.

Impact On Iran's Military Capabilities

The US sanctions are designed to limit Iran's ability to acquire advanced technology and equipment that could be used to develop its military capabilities. The conflict between Iran and Israel has been escalating over the past week, with both sides engaging in a series of attacks and counterattacks. The US has been working to de-escalate the situation, but the imposition of new sanctions on entities supporting Iran's IRGC suggests that Washington remains committed to taking a tough stance against Tehran.

Reports suggested that the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned several companies and individuals, including the Panama-flagged bulk carrier SHUN KAI XING, which was transporting equipment for Iran-based Rayan Roshd Afzar Company (RRA) and Towse Sanaye Nim Resanaye Tarashe. These two Iranian companies are linked to the IRGC's drone and missile programs. The SHUN KAI XING was operated by Hong Kong's Unico Shipping Co Ltd and Athena Shipping Co Ltd.

Attempt To Hide Iranian Recipients

According to OFAC, the companies and individuals sanctioned were involved in supplying or hiding shipments intended for RRA and Towse Sanaye Nim Resanaye Tarashe. The cargo was inspected and found to be sensitive material headed to Iran, but Unico Shipping and others tried to hide the true destination by falsifying shipping documents and removing references to the Iranian companies.

Further, Singapore-based V-Shipping Pte Ltd and China's Shenzhen Xinxin Shipping Co Ltd helped organise the shipments and also took part in efforts to cover up where the cargo was going, despite knowing the consignees were under sanctions. Zhang Yanbang, a Chinese national who captained the SHUN KAI XING, knowingly submitted fake shipping records, according to OFAC.

Involvement Of Turkish Firm

In another revelation, Turkish firm Edisa Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi was also sanctioned for helping conceal the cargo's final recipient by routing it through a previously sanctioned Iranian subsidiary.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E Nelson, said, "The United States remains resolved to disrupt any effort by Iran to procure the sensitive, dual-use technology, components, and machinery that underpin the regime's ballistic missile, unmanned aerial vehicle, and asymmetric weapons programs." He added, "We have been clear: those who enable these schemes will be held accountable."

The sanctions were imposed at a time when the conflict between Iran and Israel continues to escalate. Hours before the sanctions were announced, Israel claimed to have struck dozens of targets inside Tehran, including what it described as a nuclear weapons R&D centre. Iran's Revolutionary Guards retaliated with a fresh wave of drone attacks. 

Further details regarding the development are awaited.