US takes aim at Iran’s drone and missile programmes in latest round of sanctions

The US issued sanctions on Wednesday against six entities connected to Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programmes, as President Donald Trump's administration continues its maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.

The State Department said the action – which affects companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China – “aims to disrupt efforts" by Iranian company Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra to continue obtaining critical parts from foreign suppliers.

“The United States will use all available means to expose and disrupt Iran’s growing UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] and missile development and proliferation, which destabilises the Middle East and beyond,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

This week, the State and Treasury departments levied sanctions against more than 30 people and entities connected to Iran’s petroleum and petrochemicals industries, in an effort to bring the country's oil exports to zero.

Mr Trump signed a memorandum on February 4 returning the US to the stance he took in his first term, directing the Treasury Department to impose “maximum economic pressure” to try to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

He has long viewed Iran as threat to stability in the Middle East. During his first term, he withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international agreement that traded sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear programme.