Iran sanctions waiver granted by Trump administration
The Trump administration has renewed several waivers on US sanctions against Iran, allowing Russian, European and Chinese companies to continue to work on Iran’s civilian nuclear facilities without drawing American penalties.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the waiver extensions, but couched the decision as one that continues restrictions on Iran’s atomic work.
“Iran’s continued expansion of nuclear activities is unacceptable,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. “The regime’s nuclear extortion is among the greatest threats to international peace and security.”
Existing and former officials familiar with the matter said Mr Pompeo had opposed extending the waivers, which are among the few remaining components of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal the administration has not cancelled.
However, the officials said Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin had prevailed in an internal debate on the subject last week by arguing the coronavirus pandemic made eliminating the waivers unpalatable at a time when the administration is being criticised for refusing to ease sanctions to deal with the outbreak.
Last week, the administration slapped new sanctions on 20 Iranian people and companies for supporting Shia militia in Iraq held responsible for attacks on bases where US forces are located. At the same time, however, it extended sanctions waiver to allow energy-starved Iraq to keep importing Iranian power.