New US sanctions angers Iran, which pledges its own sanctions

New sanctions against the Islamic Republic are due to its support for “terrorist” groups and the Syrian regime as well as its missile programme. Some 18 entities or individuals are targeted. Washington is “deeply concerned" about Iran's "malign activities". Tehran slams the sanctions as illegal, pledges sanctions of its own against the US.

Tehran (AsiaNews) – Tensions are rising between Iran and the United States following Washington’s decision yesterday to impose new sanctions on Tehran for its ballistic missile programme and support for organisations the United States defines as terrorist.

The US state department said 18 entities or individuals would be affected by the new measures because of their involvement in Iran’s weapons programme or their support for the Syrian government or movements like Hezbollah and Hamas.

In its statement, the US state department said it was "deeply concerned" about Iran's "malign activities" in the Middle East, which "undermine regional stability, security and prosperity."

For the US, the Islamic Republic "continues to support terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad”. It also shows “steadfast support for the [Syrian] Assad regime, despite Assad's atrocities against his own people."

For Washington, Iran is also prolonging the conflict in Yemen by providing support for Houthi rebels against the Saudi-backed government.

Responding to the US move, Iran’s foreign ministry condemned "the United States' worthless act of imposing illegal sanctions", announcing its own “new sanctions against American people and entities that have acted against the Iranian people and other Muslim peoples of the region,” state-owned IRNA news agency reported.

For General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who heads the Guard's aerospace wing and missile programme, "The Americans... want to weaken the capabilities and strength of the Islamic regime;” and in view of this, "We propose reciprocal actions with a high cost.”

The new US sanctions came a few hours after the White House admitted in a statement that Iran was respecting the commitments it undertook with the nuclear deal, which the IAIE had confirmed in October.

In 2015 after years of embargo, the West partially eased economic sanctions against the Mideast country in exchange for a deal over its controversial nuclear programme.

Theoretically, Iran had the means to develop nuclear weapons. Under the terms of the agreement, Iran would reduce its uranium enriching centrifuges from 19,000 to 5,000, and would guarantee access by intendent UN inspectors to its nuclear facilities,

The agreement, which will remain in force for at least ten years, also limits Iran’s uranium stocks, which must remain below 300 kg for the next 15 years.

With few exceptions like Israel and the US Congress, the international community welcomed the agreement.

Despite it, the United States has maintained a number of sanctions because of Tehran's ballistic missile programme, as well as its support for armed Shia groups in the Middle East, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Assad regime in Syria and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. (DS)

• iran
• united states
• sanctions
• nuclear programme
• ballistic missiles