U.S. Treasury Sanctions 10 Firms In China And Hong Kong For Supporting Iran’s Shahed Drones

The U. S. Treasury announced sanctions on 10 individuals and companies, primarily based in China and Hong Kong, targeting alleged support for Iran’s military sector, including helping Iran acquire weapons and materials for its Shahed drones and ballistic missiles.

The Treasury said it is prepared to take further economic actions against Iran’s military production capabilities and foreign businesses that support illegal Iranian trade, including potential secondary sanctions on financial institutions linked to China’s “teapot” oil refineries that assist Iran.

@ANI

Modern Diplomacy reported that companies facing sanctions include China’s Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Ltd for facilitating weapon purchases, Dubai’s Elite Energy FZCO for transferring funds, and Hong Kong’s Mustad Ltd for aiding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The same report said experts noted the sanctions aim to weaken Iran’s threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen a significant reduction in traffic since the conflict began.

After the United States announced its failure to negotiate an agreement with Iran to end the war during talks in Pakistan, multiple countries backed the US–Iran ceasefire and called for a diplomatic solution.

The مونت كارلو الدولية report quoted EU spokesperson Anwar Al-Anouni saying, 'Diplomacy is essential to resolving the outstanding issues,' and it also said he praised mediation efforts and urged the EU to contribute 'with full regard to its interests and concerns, in full coordination with its partners.'

Al-Jarida Al-Raya

The same report quoted Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi calling on all parties to extend the ceasefire and make 'painful concessions.'

It also quoted British Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the failure of the negotiations held between the United States and Iran in Islamabad to achieve any breakthrough is 'disappointing,' and quoted Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urging 'The priority should now be to sustain the ceasefire and return to negotiations.'

In Brussels, the Tabnak report citing Sputnik News Agency said EU officials welcomed dialogue between Iran and the United States and argued that diplomacy should be given a fair chance.

Tabnak quoted Al-Awni saying, 'We welcome the opportunity for dialogue between Iran and the United States; because we believe diplomacy should be given a fair chance,' and it added that the tensions on the scene show that military escalation could have 'very serious' consequences for regional stability in the Middle East.

The Tabnak report said indirect talks between Iran and the United States about Iran's nuclear program are scheduled for February 17 at the Permanent Mission of Oman to the United Nations, citing a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti.

Separately, Mehr News Agency reported that European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said, “We are supporting the diplomatic solution, and we are engaged also with those countries who are mediating the two parties,” while emphasizing that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz created imbalance in the supply chain of fuel and energy.