WASHINGTON,  (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions against an Iranian entity and its director allegedly related to Iran's chemical weapons research.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that it had designated Shahid Meisami Group and its director, accusing the entity of being involved in Iran's chemical weapons research and subordinate to the Iranian Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, which was blacklisted by the United States in 2014.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement that "the United States will continue to counter any efforts by the Iranian regime to develop chemical weapons that may be used by the regime or its proxy groups to advance their malign agenda."

All property and interests of the property of targeted entity and individual in the United States have been blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transactions with them. In addition, any foreign financial institution that facilitates a significant transaction with them could be subject to sanctions.

The move came days after the killing of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh last week near the capital city Tehran. Iran on Tuesday reiterated that it would punish the "perpetrators and commanders" in this assassination.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month threatened that Washington would impose more sanctions against Iran in the coming weeks and months.

In May 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Iranian nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed harsh sanctions against Iran. In response, Tehran has gradually dropped some of its JCPOA commitments since May 2019.  ■