US Slaps Iran With New Sanctions

Citra

Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 | 04:50 pm

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Economic pressure on Iran will continue despite the successful exchange of prisoners last weekend. The United States struck the Islamic Republic on Wednesday with sanctions against its biggest companies and airlines.

The State Department and the Ministry of Finance impose sanctions on the Mahan Air and state shipping network for their role in transporting deadly aid from Iran to Yemen and weapons of proliferation of mass destruction. The sanctions also target a Shanghai-based shipping company involved in transporting missile parts to Iran.

"Today's goal is to let the world know that those who carry out illicit transactions with these companies will risk being sanctioned themselves," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The sanction is the first official action against Iran since the prisoner exchange on Saturday in which Princeton graduate student Xiyue Wang was exchanged for Massoud Soleimani, an Iranian biologist jailed in the United States on charges of violating sanctions.

Administration officials have warned against imposing more sanctions on Iran within days. But new steps are designed to send the message that the US maximum pressure campaign will continue unless Iran's theocratic rulers reverse the direction on several issues, including its nuclear program, missile testing and support for militia groups in neighboring countries.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iranian analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the new sanctions were a response to Iran's ongoing support for Shiite proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, even when the country had faced anti-government protests for several weeks.

"Swapping prisoners simply means that the government is able to walk and chew gum at the same time," he said. "He can negotiate with Iran to free those who are being held unjustly while continuing to step on the pressure pedal."

NEWS24XX.COM/CTR