The United States government has announced sanctions against six individuals and twelve companies due to their involvement in supporting Iran's missile program. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, these sanctions target entities that aided the Iranian regime in procuring essential materials for Tehran's ballistic missile development. Among those affected are several companies based in China and one based in Hong Kong. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the United States cannot allow Iran to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, stating that Iran's attempts to manufacture missiles and related components domestically pose an unacceptable threat to both the U.S. and regional stability. These latest sanctions against Iran's missile program follow recent measures imposed by the U.S. against Iran's oil industry and its nuclear program within the last few weeks. The sanctions also extend to three employees of a Chinese firm that supplied precursor materials for carbon fibers to a sanctioned Iranian company. According to U.S. officials, China plays a significant role as a trading partner for Iran. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted that Iran remains heavily reliant on China for its malign activities in the Middle East, citing ongoing economic and technical support from the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese companies to Iran and its proxies. Meanwhile, during his visit to Qatar, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his desire for a peaceful resolution to the tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program. He stated that the violent path is not one he wishes to pursue, placing the onus of decision on Tehran's leadership. Trump urged Qatar to facilitate an agreement, acknowledging the precarious situation and expressing a commitment to doing what is right. In response to Trump's remarks, Iranian President Massud Peseschkian asserted on Iranian television that the country would not yield to any tyrant. However, reports suggest that Iran may be open to compromise, as Ali Schamchani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicated in an interview with NBC News that the nation might agree to a deal with the U.S. in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Schamchani claimed that Iran would commit to never developing nuclear weapons, eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, limit uranium enrichment to lower levels for civilian purposes, and allow international inspectors to oversee the process. Recent discussions between the U.S. and Iran appear to have made progress, with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai describing the latest round of negotiations in Oman as challenging yet constructive. Both parties are reportedly working towards rational and realistic solutions to bridge their differences. Additionally, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to continue their discussions with Iran in Istanbul on Friday.