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World
The US Treasury sanctioned 10 individuals and entities in China and Hong Kong for supporting Iran's military, including drone manufacturing.
The United States announced early Saturday that its Treasury Department has imposed fresh sanctions against 10 individuals and companies based in China and Hong Kong. The latest measures target entities accused of aiding Iran's military in acquiring weapons and raw materials used to manufacture "Shahed" drones, according to a Treasury statement.
Among those sanctioned are two companies headquartered in China and three in Hong Kong. Separately, the State Department added four more entities to the sanctions list for their involvement in Iranian conventional weapons activities, the statement said.
The Treasury's move comes days before President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to China, part of an ongoing pressure campaign against Tehran. Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid stalled efforts to end the war in Iran and rising tensions with Beijing.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: "We will continue to work to maintain America's security and target foreign individuals and companies that supply the Iranian military with weapons for use against U.S. forces."
Diplomats said Friday that Washington has revised its proposed UN Security Council resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and stop laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. However, they ruled out that the changes would prevent China and Russia from using their veto power.
A Chinese veto would be awkward ahead of Trump's visit next week, where the Iran war is expected to top the agenda. An updated draft circulated to council members on Thursday, seen by Reuters, removed a clause based on Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the council to impose measures ranging from sanctions to military action.
Despite the removal, the resolution retains tough language against Iran and includes a provision stating that if Iran fails to comply, the council will reconvene to consider "effective measures... including sanctions, to ensure freedom of navigation in the region." The timing of a council vote on the resolution remains unclear.
Trump's administration has also launched a private war against smuggling Iraqi oil into Iran.
