Iran gets sanctions reprieve extension

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Wednesday that it will continue granting nuclear sanctions relief to Iran, keeping the Obama-era nuclear deal intact for now. But the U.S. also announced new unrelated sanctions in a bid to show it wasn’t letting Tehran off the hook.

Under the 2015 deal, sanctions punishing Iran for its nuclear program were waived in exchange for Iran’s commitment to roll back the program. But continuing the sanctions relief requires the renewal of a six-month waiver. The most recent waiver, issued by former Secretary of State John Kerry in December, was set to expire this week.

Stuart Jones, the top U.S. diplomat in charge of the Middle East, said the U.S. is still forming a “comprehensive Iran policy,” alluding to President Trump’s assertion that he may tear up the deal after he finishes reviewing it. In the meantime, Jones said, the U.S. will keep implementing the deal — including the sanctions relief.

“This ongoing review does not diminish the United States’ resolve to continue countering Iran’s destabilizing activity in the region, whether it be supporting the Assad regime, backing terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, or supporting violent militias that undermine governments in Iraq and Yemen,” Jones said. “And above all, the United States will never allow the regime in Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.”

Aiming to undercut the perception that Trump is softening on Iran, the U.S. paired the announcement with new sanctions punishing Iran for its ballistic missiles program.