Russia has fiercely charged the U.S. of illegally imposing sanctions against four major Russian defense firms, which are considered to be selling banned items to Iran and Syria in the eyes of the U.S. The Russian foreign ministry reacted sharply saying the U.S. is erroneously trying to force foreign companies to follow the domestic American rules, which apply to only U.S. firms.
The U.S. has recently announced that it was imposing sanction against 24 foreign companies on the ground that they are breaking its Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act. The U.S. has alleged that these companies are selling these two countries materials that could contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction or other lethal missile systems.
However, these four Russian firms were the last to be hit by the U.S. sanction as Russia was involved dealing with Iran. Interestingly, the sanctions were also imposed on the state owned Rosoboronexport, Russia largest arms exporter.
Reacting to the development Russia has said that this not the first time when the U.S. is involved in illegally in an attempt to force foreign companies to abide by the U.S. laws. The sanctions were brought into force on December 28, 2006. The sanctions prevent the named companies to work with the U.S. firms and it is likely to stay in effect for two years.
