The United States on Tuesday sanctioned 10 individuals and entities, including some based in China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, for helping Iran’s defence ministry procure weapons and components, the Treasury Department said.

The action, taken under Operation Economic Outcast, targets procurement networks for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, which oversees weapons research, production and acquisition, including ballistic missiles and drones.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department would continue to identify and isolate Iran’s enablers, adding that those providing material or financial support to Tehran’s military programmes would face rising costs.

The sanctions are part of a broader American push to cut Iran’s economic lifelines and force negotiations to end the US-Iran war that began in February. The measures were issued under Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction.

Analysts say the designations signal that Washington will keep tightening enforcement even as diplomatic channels through mediators remain open.