U.S. restores some Iran sanctions lifted under nuclear deal

Source: Washington Post



The United States on Monday reimposed the first round of Iranian trade sanctions that had been suspended under the 2015 nuclear agreement, distancing itself from every other country that signed the agreement and putting the accord's future in jeopardy.

Administration officials said the sanctions that have been waived for the past two and a half years will be snapped back officially on Tuesday morning at one minute past midnight.

From that moment on, Iran will be prohibited from using U.S. dollars, the primary currency used for international financial transactions and oil purchases. Trade in metals, and sales of Iranian-made cars will be banned. Permits allowing the import of Iranian carpets and food, like pistachios, will be revoked. So will licenses that have allowed Tehran to buy U.S. and European aircraft and parts -- a restriction that comes just days after Iran completed the acquisition of five new commercial planes from Europe.

In a background call to reporters, senior administration officials said the goal was twofold: to prod Iran to renegotiate the nuclear agreement so it also addresses Iran's ballistic missile tests and adventuresome activities in the region, and also to change the government's behavior. They presented the United States as standing with Iranian protesters unhappy with the faltering economy and social issues, but insisted the United States is not seeking to get Iranians to rise up and institute regime change. "The president has been very clear," one official said. "None of this needs to happen .?.?.?. The Iranian people should not suffer because of their regime's hegemonic ambitions."

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-restores-some-iran-sanctions-lifted-under-nuclear-deal/2018/08/06/f13bbb02-9973-11e8-b60b-1c897f17e185_story.html