The US has slapped non-proliferation sanctions against 12 foreign companies, including four from China, under an act that prohibits transferring of equipment and technology to Iran, North Korea and Syria.

The sanctions has also been imposed on four Chinese companies which include BST Technology and Trade Company, China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC), Dalian Sunny Industries, and Poly Technologies Incorporated. Companies from Belarus, Iran Sudan and Venezuelan too have been slapped with sanctions.