May 10, Kathmandu -  The United States has imposed sanctions on 11 organizations and three individuals based in Iran, China, Belarus, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing them of aiding Iran's military efforts amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The U.S. Department of State issued a statement late Friday, highlighting that many Chinese organizations involved in providing satellite imagery to assist Iran in military operations against U.S. forces in the Middle East are among those targeted. 

"Today's actions target entities that provide satellite images to Iran to support military aggression against U.S. troops in the Middle East," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Rubio also mentioned that the sanctions include organizations and individuals supplying Iran with weapons and raw materials used in its ballistic missile and drone programs. 

The statement comes as the U.S. and Iran remain engaged in diplomatic exchanges, with expectations of a response to a recent peace proposal sent by the U.S. on the same day. Iranian officials are reportedly reviewing American messages through Pakistani mediators, but no final decision or reply has been issued yet.

Both nations had recently moved closer to a 14-point understanding aimed at ending the conflict and resuming talks on Iran’s nuclear program, according to reports from Axios and other news agencies earlier this week.

The timing of Rubio’s comments adds uncertainty to the ongoing ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., as both sides accuse each other of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump claimed that the ceasefire remains intact, describing recent strikes as minor and expressing optimism about Iran's willingness to negotiate.

Rubio warned of a potential escalation, citing reports that Iran may be establishing or attempting to establish traffic control in the strait, which he called unacceptable.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for nearly five parts of global oil supply, is currently under blockade, raising fears of a major energy security crisis worldwide. The International Energy Agency has called this situation the most significant energy security threat in history.