“This action is consistent with the USA government’s commitment to continue targeting those who assist in Iran’s efforts to procure items for its ballistic missile program”, the Treasury said in a statement.
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On Sunday, world powers lifted crippling sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Iran’s missiles are not designed in any way to carry nuclear warheads and therefore the country’s missile program does not contravene any global regulations, the statement went on to say.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has several important tasks that require Iranian cooperation, said David Albright, a former weapons inspector and president of the Institute for Science and International Security.
The seven Iranians released from American prison were either convicted or accused of purposely violating us sanctions against Tehran. He also credited the improved relationship between the two countries for the swift release of American sailors who accidentally drifted into Iranian waters last week.
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 US had threatened to impose the missile test sanctions earlier but US sources said they were delayed as Washington did not want to undermine the nuclear deal negotiations – particularly over the prisoner swap.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said the Emad missile was a conventional weapon.
He said to keep the sanctions in place would create a “situation where Canadian companies would be alone in not having access” to the Iranian market.
A special USA presidential envoy has tweeted a photo of Jason Rezaian after the American journalist landed in Geneva following his release by Iran.
The Washington Post also reported Rezaian’s release, citing Iranian news agencies.
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Under July’s deal, Iran’s nuclear activities will be severely constrained and remain under strict oversight for the next decade, but Tehran will then be able to scale up its production of nuclear fuel.
