Rubio says sanctions target Chinese entities providing Iran with satellite imagery

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had imposed sanctions on Chinese entities accused of providing Iran with satellite imagery used to support attacks against US forces in the Middle East.

Rubio said the sanctions also targeted Iran’s overseas arms procurement networks and international companies alleged to have supplied raw materials for Tehran’s missile and drone programmes.

“We will use our unilateral sanctions to pursue any party that violates UN Security Council resolutions on Iran,” Rubio said.

He added that the United States would use “all available tools” to prevent Iran from rebuilding nuclear and proliferation-related programmes considered sensitive by Washington and its allies.