January 8, 2006: In late December, 2005, the United States announced that it was imposing sanctions on nine companies (6 Chinese, 2 Indian, and one Austrian) for transferring equipment or technology in violation of the Iran Nonproliferation Act. In other words, American intelligence had detected these companies supplying Iran with weapons, or material for building weapons. Of particular interest is the inclusion of the Chinese weapons manufacturer NORINCO. This company is actually controlled by the Chinese government, and doesn’t do anything without government permission. The companies sanctioned were supplying material and equipment for producing chemical weapons, infantry weapons and warplane components. The U.S. sanctions make it more difficult for these companies to do business internationally, prohibits them from doing business in the United States, and puts pressure on their home country to crack down on supplying Iran with weapons.