BEIJING, Aug 19 (AP) -- A Chinese cargo airline said Friday it was suspending operations after the U.S. government sanctioned its parent company for allegedly helping Iran acquire weapons of mass destruction.

The Shanghai-based Great Wall Airlines Co. said in a statement the suspension was immediate and arrangements were being made to transfer booked cargo to other carriers.

The carrier, which was launched in June, is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines Ltd. and the Beijing-backed China Great Wall Industry Corp. -- one of four Chinese companies that the United States in June prohibited U.S. firms from engaging in business dealings.

Washington claimed the companies supplied Iran with missile-related and dual-use components. Beijing has previously slammed the sanctions as unreasonable, saying the U.S. did not provide any evidence.

The airline's statement said it had to suspend operations because it "relies on technical support from American companies." It also said it was in discussions with the U.S. government to find a solution.

The carrier serves mainly cargo points in the mainland, but in June launched a six-time weekly freighter service between Shanghai and Amsterdam, and had said it planned to start services to Singapore and India. It operated a fleet of two Boeing 747 freighters.

China Great Wall Industry holds a majority stake of 51 percent in the cargo airline, while Singapore Airlines owns 24 percent, and the rest is held by a subsidiary of the Singapore government's investment arm.