Singapore Airlines has suspended the operations of its cargo venture in China after the United States imposed sanctions on the airline's Chinese partner for allegedly supplying missile components to Iran.

Great Wall Airlines (GWL) stopped operations after the US Treasury Department imposed the sanctions on the venture's shareholder, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, Singapore Airlines said in a statement issued late Friday.

"The suspension of operations follows a decision by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department to impose sanctions on the parent company, and its subsidiaries," the statement said.

"GWL is in discussion with agencies of the US Government with a view to bridging the impasse created by these sanctions, which have nothing to do with the operations of GWL," it added.

It said Shanghai-based GWL relies on technical support from American companies for the safe and efficient operation of its aircraft. Arrangements are being made to transfer booked cargo to other carriers, the statement said.

China Great Wall Industry Corporation owns 51 percent of GWL, which was launched two months ago, while Singapore Airlines owns 25 percent.

The remaining 24 percent is held by Singapore investment firm Temasek Holdings through Dahlia Investments.

The US Treasury Department in June accused a US firm and four Chinese companies, including China Great Wall Industry Corporation, of supplying Iran with missile-related components and called for a freeze of any of their assets under US jurisdiction.

The department had alleged that the firms "have provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of" Iranian missile programs that are capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

The Chinese government has rejected the US allegations and reiterated its opposition to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.