U.S. sanctions 10 individuals and entities over arms procurement for Iran in operation “Economic Outcast”

The United States has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities, some based in China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, accused of having helped Iran’s Ministry of Defense procure weapons and components, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday, as the Reuters agency reports. According to the Treasury’s announcement, among those sanctioned is also a China-based representative of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, as well as representatives of several companies based in Iran, Hong Kong and Pakistan, which are suspected of supplying components used for the development of Iranian weapons.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared that under operation “Economic Outcast,” the Treasury “will continue to target and disrupt those who provide material, technological or financial support that allows the Iranian regime to sustain its terrorist enterprise.” “The Treasury will not tolerate any support for the regime and will continue to identify, expose and isolate Iran’s supporters,” he added in the statement published by the Treasury.

The sanctions are part of the broader effort of president Donald Trump’s administration to isolate Iran economically and to force it to negotiate an end to the U.S.–Iran war that began in February. According to the Treasury, the measure aims to degrade Tehran’s ability to rebuild its weapons programs, while at the same time raising the costs for those who support its procurement efforts.