The United States on Sunday imposed sanctions on 11 companies and individuals for supplying Iran’s ballistic missile program, the U.S. Treasury Department said.
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The President said the United States still had profound differences with Iran and would continue to enforce sanctions over its ballistic missile programme, violations of human rights and support of terrorism.
The latest measures were due to be introduced in December, but were delayed as negotiations on the nuclear sanctions were ongoing.
The sanctions come after the four American prisoners were released from detention in Iran: Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, U.S. Marine veteran Amir Hekmat, Idaho Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and businessman Nosratollah Khosrawi Roudsari – who all hold dual U.S./Iranian citizenship.
Iran unveiled a secret missile program in October when it conducted its first ballistic missile test. The U.S. argues the ballistic missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
“Iran has again shown the world that taking American hostages while Barack Obama is president can yield a diplomatic and military windfall”.
“I decided that a strong, confident America could advance our national security by engaging directly with the Iranian government.” he said.
A USA official said the Obama administration wanted to test whether there could be additional cooperation or constructive dialogue between the United States and Iran.
Rohani told parliament on January 17 that the deal was also a “turning point” point for Iran’s economy, adding that the energy-rich country needed to be less reliant on oil revenues.
Many U.S. leaders are wary of the deal that would allow Iran to immediately recoup close to $100 billion in assets frozen overseas.
The nuclear talks have brought a sense of normalcy to relations with the US and Iran, with top officials from each country in somewhat regular communication.
The president also announced the resolution of a decades-long financial dispute that will result in the US sending back $400 million to Iran, plus $1.3 billion in interest. However, at the same time, Iran also has reasons to remain cautious towards the United States, he said. An administration official said, without elaborating, that detained USA citizens had been released and those who wished to depart Iran had left.
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“We released seven terrorists who had helped Iran with their nuclear program, and we agreed not to prosecute another 14 terrorists for doing the same thing”. The go-ahead was given after the UN’s nuclear watchdog submitted a report confirming Tehran had kept the nuclear promises it made in a historic deal with the global community six months ago. “Instead, we worked directly with the Iranian government and secured the release of our sailors in 24 hours”. “Even if the United States ultimately breaks the agreement, it is still a loss for the United States because the worldwide community will see that it is Iran that has been sticking to its side of the bargain”.
