US mulls sanctions on China surveillance firms over Iran business ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Feb 2023 20:00

China-based company Tiandy Technologies was specifically targeted due to the alleged sales of equipment to the IRGC.

In this Oct. 31, 2018, photo, Watrix employees demonstrate their firm's gait recognition software at their company's offices in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal on Saturday revealed that the US is considering a new round of sanctions against Chinese firms that manufacture surveillance equipment due to their alleged business ties with the Islamic Revolution's Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran, the report states citing sources familiar with the matter.

The report states that China-based company Tiandy Technologies was specifically targeted due to the alleged sales of equipment to the IRGC.

In 2022, exports of China-made surveillance devices skyrocketed in light of nationwide riots in Iran, the report claims, adding that the use of technology was instrumental to assist law enforcement in containing rioters.

In the case where the US State Department and the Treasury decide to enforce sanctions on the company, Tiandy Technologies will no longer be able to conduct business with US dollars, the report states.

Iranophobia has been on the rise since western media violently dehumanized Iran's reputation after accusing it of an incident it wasn't responsible for: the death of Mahsa Amini.

The manipulation of human rights in Western media has long been used to push for an agenda of regime change, and the demonization of Iran is built on narratives of human rights violations.

On October 2, 2022, a spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament Nizamuddin Mousavi said that some 45,000 people from foreign organizations, intelligence services, and terrorist groups formed networks across the country, some of whom have been arrested.

A day later, Sayyed Ali Khamenei said the US and "Israel" were responsible for planning the riots with the intent of destabilizing domestic order within the country.

On January 26, the Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said that over a dozen "Israel"-linked terrorist groups have been dismantled, and their plots to destabilize and create chaos in Iran have been foiled.

The statements came in light of evidence discovered by Iranian intelligence authorities showing the role played by the CIA and other Western intelligence agencies in the Iran riots.