US targets suppliers tied to Iran’s Shahed drone production
Scott Bessent (Photo: Getty Images)
The US Treasury Department on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and entities that helped the Iranian military obtain weapons and raw materials used to produce Shahed-type drones, according to Reuters.
Notably, the sanctions affected several individuals and companies based in China and Bangkok. This move by the US Treasury Department, first reported by Reuters, comes just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China for a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and amid stalled efforts to end the war with Iran.
The ministry's statement said that the US remains ready to take economic measures against Iran's military-industrial base to prevent Tehran from restoring its production capabilities and projecting power beyond its borders.
In addition, the UЫ Treasury is ready to take action against any foreign company that supports illegal Iranian trade, including airlines.
Washington is also prepared to impose secondary sanctions on financial institutions that facilitate Iran's activities, particularly those linked to independent Chinese refineries.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that under the strong leadership of President Trump, they will continue to act to ensure America's security and will pursue foreign individuals and entities that supply weapons to the Iranian military for use against American forces.
What else is known
A few days ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese companies are openly supplying components for the production of Shahed-type drones to Iran and Russia, bypassing US and European sanctions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington could impose sanctions on enterprises from countries that cooperate with Iranian airlines. This came after Iranian state media reported that Iran had resumed commercial flights from Tehran for the first time since the start of the war.
