On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions aimed at disrupting Iran’s ballistic missile development efforts. The sanctions target six individuals and twelve entities, primarily based in Iran and China, accused of facilitating Iran’s acquisition of materials such as carbon fiber, essential for manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missiles. These measures are part of President Donald Trump’s reinstated “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.

The sanctions coincide with ongoing diplomatic efforts, as Iran is scheduled to engage in nuclear talks with European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal—Britain, France, and Germany—on May 16 in Istanbul. These discussions aim to clarify positions ahead of anticipated U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Iran has criticized the new sanctions, stating they are incompatible with the negotiation efforts. The Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that such measures undermine the progress of diplomatic talks.

This latest action follows a series of U.S. sanctions imposed earlier in May, targeting networks involved in exporting Iranian oil to China and entities facilitating such transactions. These steps underscore the heightened U.S. efforts to curb Iran’s missile development and oil exports amid broader geopolitical tensions.

Source: Reuters