US sanctions

US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin McKee announced the sanctions to the PNG media this morning adding that NATO and its friends are united more than ever.

“The United States and our allies, partners and friends are taking action to hold Russia accountable.

“The US, United Kingdom, European Union, Japan and Canada have removed selected Russian Banks from the ‘swift messaging system” and have imposed restrictive measures on the Russian central Bank.

On Thursday, the Treasury Department put the companies on an investment exclusion list, banning US citizens from buying and selling shares in them.

It has been alleged that DJI's drone technology has been used for the surveillance of Uyghur Muslims in China.

However the ban is largely symbolic as DJI is not a publicly-traded company.

Consumers in the US can continue to buy and use DJI drones.

The announcements from the Trump administration come amid rising fears about the North's military advances.

The Thaad system was originally not expected to be in use until late 2017. Many South Koreans oppose it, fearing they will become a target.

North Korea has vowed to conduct more missile and nuclear tests.

Speaking to members of the US Congress on Wednesday, Adm Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, said Thaad would be "operational in the coming days to be able to better defend South Korea against the growing North Korea threat".

"If this sanction is implemented, this is definitely a violation of the agreement, without any doubt," Khamenei said in an address on state television.

"And they should know that the Islamic Republic will definitely react towards it."

The US Congress voted last week to extend the Iran Sanctions Act for another 10 years.

However, the Obama administration is working to stave off any additional sanctions and encouraging American companies to do business with Iran, a US official tells CNN.

A statement from the US Treasury named Mr Kim as directly responsible for violations in his country.

Ten other top North Korean officials have also been blacklisted. There has been no response yet from the North Korean government.

The measures freeze any property the individuals have in the US and prevent US citizens doing business with them.