United States imposes new sanctions on Turkey, Russia, China, and Iraq

The U.S. government announced on Tuesday the imposition of sanctions against 13 companies and individuals from China, Russia, Turkey and Iraq for supporting Iran's missile program. The State Department detailed that the measure includes new sanctions against three Chinese companies, a Chinese individual and a Turkish company. However, it did not list the rest of those affected.

The Chinese companies subject to new U.S. sanctions are Baoding Shimaotong Enterprises Services Company Limited, Gaobeidian Kaituo Precise Instrument Co Ltd and Wuhan Sanjiang Import and Export Co Ltd, while the Turkish company is Eren Carbon Graphite Industrial Trading Company Ltd. The Chinese individual subject to sanctions is Luo Dingwen, who according to the United States is also involved in providing sensitive items for Pakistan's weapons program.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that “the imposition of these measures emphasizes that Iran's missile program remains a significant proliferation concern”. “The imposition of sanctions against these foreign subjects is consistent with our efforts to use all available measures to prevent Iran from advancing its missile capabilities”, he added.

In the statement, the United States detailed that the sanctions on these 13 companies and individuals fall under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Non-Proliferation Act (INKSNA), which when it was enacted in 2000 was aimed only at Iran. In 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally abandoned the agreement promoted by former president Barack Obama (2009-2017) with Iran and the international powers with which Tehran put a stop to its nuclear program. Since then, the relationship between both countries has deteriorated with mutual military attacks in recent months.