The United States has imposed sanctions on entities and individuals primarily based in China and Hong Kong for their support to Iran's ballistic missile program. The move, announced by the Department of Treasury, is part of President Trump's National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, which aims to curtail Iran's ballistic missile program and disrupt its destabilizing activities.
According to the administration, these entities and individuals are providing crucial economic and technical support to Iran's efforts to indigenize the manufacturing of carbon fiber for use in its ballistic missile program. The sanctions specifically target those supporting the supply of carbon fiber, its precursors, and carbon fiber manufacturing equipment to various Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sub-organizations, including U.S.-designated IRGC Aerospace Force Research and Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGCASF RSSJO) and IRGC Research and Self Sufficiency Jehad Organization (IRGC RSSJO).
The Department of Treasury's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters. The move aims to expose and disrupt Iran's schemes to procure equipment and items supporting its ballistic missile program, which destabilizes the Middle East and beyond.
This latest round of sanctions marks a significant escalation in the United States' efforts to counter Iran's malign activities in the region, particularly through China-based companies that provide key economic and technical support. The administration has repeatedly emphasized the need to hold accountable those who enable Iran's destabilizing behavior, and this action is part of its ongoing commitment to maximum pressure on Tehran.
The sanctions will be enforced by the Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions within the Department of the Treasury, in coordination with other U.S. government agencies and international partners.