WASHINGTON, Dec 1: The United States said on Wednesday it had imposed sanctions on four Chinese entities, including a state-run firm, and one North Korean company for allegedly selling weapons or cruise and ballistic missile technology and equipment to Iran.

Three of the five have been imposed penalties previously for the transfer to Iran of equipment and technology controlled under multilateral missile, chemical and nuclear weapons' export regulations.

Andrew K. Semmel, acting assistant secretary of state for non-proliferation, said in a statement that two-year sanctions would be imposed with effect from Nov 24 under the Iran Non-proliferation Act of 2000.

The sanctions, among other things, bar US government agencies from procuring goods, technology or services from the five and instantly terminates any defence contracts with them. No new licenses would be granted for transfer to the blacklisted entities. -AFP