The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese companies and others that the US government said helped sell tens of millions of dollars worth of Iranian oil and petrochemicals to East Asia.
The move comes amid a US attempt to increase pressure on Tehran to rein in its nuclear programme.
The US Treasury and State Department have imposed sanctions on a total of six companies, four based in Hong Kong, one in Singapore and one in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in actions that were announced in separate statements.
The Treasury accused Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. (PGPICC), one of Iran’s largest petrochemical brokers, to use the companies to facilitate the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemicals to East Asia.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Treasury targeted Blue Cactus Heavy Equipment and Machinery Spare Parts Trading LLC, which allegedly helped sell millions of dollars worth of Iranian-sourced petroleum products to the US-sanctioned Triliance Petrochemical Co..
Farwell Canyon HK Limited and Shekufei International Trading Co., Limited were also targeted for facilitating these sales for onward shipment to buyers in East Asia.
The Treasury accused PGPICC of using the companies’ bank accounts, along with those of PZNFR Trading Limited, to collect millions of dollars in revenue.
Separately, the US Department of State sanctioned Pioneer Ship Management PTE LTD for allegedly managing a vessel carrying Iranian petroleum products, and Golden Warrior Shipping Co. Ltd., for alleged transactions related to Iranian oil and petroleum products.
Stocks freeze US-based assets and often prevent Americans from dealing with them.
Third parties who engage in transactions with the targeted companies are also at risk of being sanctioned.
The measures represent the third round of Iran-related US sanctions against Chinese companies in the past two months.
Reacting to the new sanctions, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that Iran would respond “decisively and firmly” to the continuation of White House sanctions.
Source: CNN Brasil
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