US President Donald Trump has extended the sanctions relief against Iran agreed under the 2015 deal to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme.

At the same time, the actions announced by the State and Treasury Departments, imposed new sanctions on specific Iranian officials and a Chinese company supporting Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

During his presidential campaign, Trump was vocally opposed to the 2015 nuclear agreement, at one point calling it the “worst deal ever”, but the latest announcement shows that the president has decided to keep the deal in place for the time being.

“The US continues to waive sanctions as required to continue implementing U.S. sanctions-lifting commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” the State Department said in a statement.

The Treasury Department announced it had sanctioned, an Iranian company, an Iranian official, a Chinese individual and three Chinese companies for support of the ballistic missile programme. The sanctions prevent any US companies or individuals from doing business with these entities.

Iranian President Rouhani, who was instrumental in securing the JCPOA and international sanctions relief, is up for re-election on 19 May. The incumbent faces a challenge from conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi, who could lead Iran to become more confrontational with the west.

The nuclear deal faced strong opposition from conservative politicians in both Tehran and Washington and was widely unpopular within the newly-empowered US Republican party.