US sanctions China, Iran-based entities for alleged support for Tehran’s missile program

​​​​​​​By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) – The US imposed sanctions on several entities and individuals based in China and Hong Kong on Wednesday for their alleged support for Iran’s ballistic missile program.

The designated parties are accused of “supporting Iran’s efforts to indigenize the manufacturing of carbon fiber for use in Iran’s ballistic missile program,” according to the State Department.

“These entities and individuals support the supply of carbon fiber, its precursors, and carbon fiber manufacturing equipment to the various Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sub-organizations that oversee this effort, including U.S.-designated IRGC Aerospace Force Research and Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF RSSJO) and IRGC Research and Self Sufficiency Jehad Organization (IRGC RSSJO),” it said in a statement.

The announcement came as President Donald Trump, who is in Qatar, said he hopes Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani can help broker a nuclear deal with Iran.

Trump sought to pressure Iran to return to negotiations for a new accord during his first term when he imposed a "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran.

He reopened diplomatic channels with four rounds of direct US-Iran talks -- mediated by Oman that have neem focused on Iran’s nuclear program.

The latest round concluded Sunday in Muscat. Trump warned that time is of the essence, and said a deal would “save maybe millions of lives.”

The talks seek to reach a deal that would replace the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, that was reached in 2015.

The US, under Trump, walked out of the multilateral deal in May 2018, which led to a dramatic escalation of tensions between Iran and the US.