Putting squeeze on Iran
Don’s sanctions
The Trump administration on Monday reimposed harsh sanctions against Iran that had been lifted under the scrapped nuclear deal — and warned the regime to stop issuing threats and destabilizing the Mideast.
“We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation,” President Trump said in a statement
The president also told other countries — including America’s European allies — to back his aggressive stance or suffer the consequences.
But Trump said he was still open to renegotiating a deal with Iran on its nuclear program, months after pulling out of the 2015 agreement over the protests of allies.
A statement Monday by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain insisted that the nuclear deal had been working.
The sanctions would limit Iran’s ability to purchase US dollars and trade precious metals, while barring purchases of Iranian graphite, aluminum, steel and coal.
Transactions with Iran’s currency, the rial, would be limited and Iran’s automotive and food sectors would also be hit.
The penalties further banned sales of commercial aircraft to the Islamic regime.
A later round of sanctions in November would slam Iran’s oil exports and energy sector, as well as port operators and ship builders.
Other countries aren’t bound by the US sanctions — but many large European firms could comply to avoid being targeted themselves.
National Security Adviser John Bolton said the US goal was not to topple Iran’s rulers.
“Our policy is not regime change, but we want to put unprecedented pressure on the government of Iran to change its behavior and, so far, they’ve showed no indication they are prepared to do that,” he said, referring to the funding of terror groups.
“We are not going to allow Iran to get nuclear weapons.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Monday Tehran would hold talks with the US only if Team Trump proved trustworthy.
“We are always in favor of diplomacy and talks. But talks need honesty. The US reimposes sanctions on Iran and pulls out of the nuclear deal, and then wants to hold talks with us,” Rouhani said on state television.
“Trump’s call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America . . . and to create chaos in Iran.”
Iran has seen days of protests and strikes in multiple towns and cities over water shortages, high prices and wider anger at the political system — and US officials hoped the sanctions would put further pressure on the government.