US sanctions seven Hong Kong-based companies over Iran, Hezbollah
- The Treasury Department says Morteza Minaye Hashemi, who lives in China, had funnelled money to Iran’s Qods Force and Hezbollah
- Two Chinese nationals Yan Su Xuan and Song Jing are accused of helping Hashemi establish bank accounts and serving as straw owners for his companies
The US government on Friday sanctioned several Hong Kong-based companies and individuals based in China as part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to disrupt alleged terrorist activity related to Iran.
The seven entities include PCA Xiang Gang Limited, Damineh Optic Limited, China 49 Group Co, Taiwan Be Charm Trading Co, Black Drop International Co, Victory Somo Group (HK) Limited, and Yummy Be Charm Trading (HK) Limited, according to a press release on the Treasury Department website.
The designations came as part of a broader action by the department that targeted Lebanon and Kuwait-based financial conduits that fund the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah as well as financial facilitators and front companies that support the group and Iran.
One of the financial facilitators, Morteza Minaye Hashemi, lives in China and had funnelled money to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Hezbollah, the Treasury Department said.