The United States has imposed sanctions on companies from China, Russia, Venezuela and other countries for allegedly violating its ban on sales of technology that could help Iran, Syria or North Korea develop sensitive weapons systems, reported AFP.

The State Department announced in the Federal Register that “13 foreign persons,” meaning companies, “engaged in activities that warrant imposition of measures” under its Iran, North Korea and Syria Non-Proliferation Act.

The United States says the sanctions are meant to punish the firms for sales that have “potential to make a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems.”

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was one of the targets of the sanctions.