US slaps sanctions on six Chinese companies for doing business with Iranian shipping firm

United States anunced imposing sanctions on six Chinese companies for ir dealings with Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) on Monday, October 19. As per ANI reports, IRISL was being used as a front to transport “proliferation-sensitive items intended for Iran's ballistic missile and military programs”. In addition to six companies, two individuals were also sanctioned by US authorities.

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Sanctioned for doing business with Iran

As per reports, sanctions were anunced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who stated that companies were sanctioned based on Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act Section 1244 (IFCA 1244).

Pompeo said, "Reach Holding Group (Shanghai) Company Ltd.; Reach Shipping Lines; Delight Shipping Co., Ltd.; Gracious Shipping Co. Ltd.; ble Shipping Co. Ltd.; and Supreme Shipping Co. Ltd. are being designated pursuant to IFCA Section 1244(d)(1)(A) for having kwingly sold, supplied, or transferred to Iran significant goods or services used in connection with shipping sector of Iran".

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US Secretary of State stated that all shipping companies mentioned in sanctions had tried to help Iranian shipping entities evade consequences of US sanctions. He added that Reach Holding Group (Shanghai) Company Ltd. had been lying to Chinese Companies about nature of work that IRISL and its subsidiaries were involved in. company is also accused of falsifying documents along with or nefarious activities in order to hide ir actions.

Relations between US and Iran have been tense ever since Trump administration pulled out of Obama-ear Iran nuclear deal in 2018. Since n, US has been trying to impose pre-deal era sanctions on Iran and even introduced a resolution in UN Security Council in an effort to reintroduce sanctions only to be snubbed in international community.

(With ANI inputs, Im AP )

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