The United States on Friday designated China, Iran and Russia, among others, as countries of particular concern under the Religious Freedom Act over severe violations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, Reuters reported.

Blinken in a statement said those designated as countries of particular concern—which also include North Korea and Myanmar—engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

Several groups, including the Wagner Group, a private paramilitary organization that is active in Syria, Africa and Ukraine, were also designated as entities of particular concern.

The Wagner group was designated over its activities in the Central African Republic, Blinken said.