On Monday, the United States (US) is set to sanction around two dozen entities linked with Iran’s arms programs, according to a senior American official who spoke to Reuters under the condition of anonymity. The official said that the sanctions would target those involved in the country’s conventional nuclear and missile programs, signaling that Washington is going ahead with its plans to snap back unilateral international sanctions on Tehran despite warnings and oppositions from both its adversaries and allies at the United Nations.
The official added that it is possible that Iran has enough material for a nuclear weapon to be produced by the end of 2020 and that the country has also resumed its long-range missile cooperation with North Korea; however, he did not provide any evidence for either allegation. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the White House was welcoming the “the return of virtually all previously terminated UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The fresh sanctions are a part of US President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to contain Iran’s regional influence, especially in light of two US-brokered diplomatic agreements between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel. The pacts have been placed in Trump’s larger vision to create a regional coalition against Tehran, while also pandering to the large pro-Israeli lobby ahead of the US Presidential election in November.
However, the international sanctions, which were part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear accord signed with Iran from which the US withdrew in 2018, were redacted after members of the UN Security Council rejected the American plea for their extension in August. The 15-member international body also insists that the US has no legal basis to enforce the JCPOA’s snapback mechanism since it was no longer a party to the deal. The US’ European allies, as well as adversaries such as China and Russia, are wary that the US’ moves could lead to a major international legal battle that could potentially lead to their own companies being sanctioned.
On Sunday, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom (UK) released a joint statement stating that American attempts to impose sanctions on third-party countries that are non-compliant with its conditions are also legally invalid. Pompeo reacted to this on Fox News, saying, “They’re still wedded to this silly nuclear deal that was signed now five years ago.”
In response to the Trump administration’s announcement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani promised in a televised address that Tehran would “give a crushing response to America’s bullying”. He further added that European countries’ belief that the US sanctions declaration is legally void shows that Washington “faces defeat” at the UN.
Despite International Backlash, US to Reinstate Unilateral Sanctions on Iran
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has promised to “give a crushing response to America’s bullying”.
September 21, 2020
SOURCE: MONEYCONTROL