US lists new Iran sanctions on several Chinese firms

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States yesterday announced new sanctions on a Chinese businessman and several companies for selling to Iran items banned under US laws aimed at curbing that country’s missile program.

A notice published on the Federal Register website marks at least the third time since 2006 that Li Fangwei, also known as Karl Lee, has faced US penalties for supplying material and support to Iran’s missile development.

The notice said Li and a firm called Dalian Sunny Industries “have engaged in missile technology proliferation activities that require the imposition of missile sanctions” under the US Arms Control Act and the Export Administration Act.

A separate sanction notice listed Li, Dalian Sunny, and three other Chinese firms, including Poly Technologies Incorporated, as being sanctioned for violations of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

The other two Chinese firms, BST Technology and Trade Company and China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC), were on a list that also included companies from Belarus, Iran, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela.

The decision to impose sanctions was taken on December 20 and took effect on February 5, said the notices.