From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 19, 2023
China slams ‘illegal’ US sanctions on firms linked to Iran’s missile, drone programs
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Beijing condemns “illegal” US sanctions, a day after Washington unveiled new measures targeting individuals and entities, including those based in China and Hong Kong, that allegedly support Iran’s missile and drone programs.
US authorities have unveiled new sanctions on actors in Iran, Hong Kong, China and Venezuela, accusing them of “enabling Iran’s destabilizing ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.”
Asked to respond to the measures, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning says China was “always firmly opposed to illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the US.”
“We will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens,” she says.
The US Treasury Department said yesterday that it was sanctioning 11 individuals, eight entities and one vessel.
The people targeted have “materially supported” Iran in the production and proliferation of missiles and drones,” the Treasury added.
“Iran’s reckless choice to continue its proliferation of destructive UAVs and other weapons prolongs numerous conflicts in regions around the world,” said Brian Nelson, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement.
The Times of Israel Community.