Trump orders sanctions as Iran ‘plays with fire’ in ballistic missile tests
PRESIDENT Trump ordered tough trade sanctions against Iran yesterday after warning that Tehran was “playing with fire”.
The US leader named 13 people and 12 companies facing commercial penalties for their links to the Islamic government’s recent missile tests.
Washington had already put Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on “notice” over its medium-range ballistics programme.
But Mr Trump signalled there was more to come yesterday, tweeting: “Iran is playing with fire. They don’t appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!”
Threats
Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took an immediate swipe back at the “useless” threats.
He tweeted: “Iran unmoved by threats. We derive security from our people. We will never initiate war but we can only rely on our own means of defence.”
John Smith, the US Treasury Department’s acting sanctions chief, said those affected will have their assets frozen and be banned from dealing with the US.
They are also subject to “secondary sanctions” – which means that other overseas firms and individuals cannot trade with them without being blacklisted.
Mr Smith said: “Iran’s continued support for terrorism and development of its ballistic missile programme poses a threat to the region, to our partners worldwide and to the United States.”
Among those hit by the new measures were business partners of a trade network run by Iranian businessman Abdollah Asgharzadeh.
Treasury officials say he supported Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which the US says is a subsidiary of an Iranian corporation which runs the ballistic missile program.
Sources stressed the measures were “fully consistent” with commitments under the nuclear agreements sealed between Iran and Mr Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama. But they predicted the action was likely to be an “initial step” in the new president’s crusade against Iran’s “provocative behaviour”.
In another indication of heightened tension US defence chiefs moved Navy destroyer the USS Cole near to the Yemen coastline to protect US interests.
Dangerous
Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, was among those to applaud the action calling it a “swift and decisive response”.
Ed Royce, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, added: “Iran’s dangerous and provocative acts are a direct threat to the United States and our allies. I’m glad the administration is taking long-overdue steps to hold the regime accountable.”
Mr Zarif said Tehran was studying the new penalties with a view to taking reciprocal action, but would not speculate on what the response would be.
In one bizarre move though, an American wrestling team was barred from taking part in the Freestyle World Cup, due to be held this month in Kermanshah, western Iran.
Yesterday’s action comes after Mr Trump last week announced a temporary ban on all refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim countries – including Iran – entering the United States.