The US is preparing sanctions against firms and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates over alleged links to Iran’s ballistic missile programme, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Such a move would be the first American sanctions against Iran since Tehran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in July that will eventually see Washington drop separate sanctions targeting that programme.
According to the newspaper, the Treasury Department is preparing sanctions on two Iran-linked networks helping develop the missile programme.Under the planned restrictions, US or foreign nationals would be barred from doing business with the firms and people in the networks. US banks would also freeze any US-held assets.
A senior US administration official told the Guardian: “As we’ve said, we’ve been looking for some time at options for additional actions related to Iran’s ballistic missile programme based on our continued concerns about its activities, including the October 10th launch.
“We are considering various aspects related to additional designations, as well as evolving diplomatic work that is consistent with our national security interests. As always, we keep Congress informed about issues related to Iran sanctions, and will continue to do so as we work through remaining issues.”
Treasury officials did not immediately return an AFP call seeking comment, and the Iranian government did not comment to the Wall Street Journal on the possible new sanctions.
But Iranian officials have previously warned that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei would view such new US sanctions as a violation of the nuclear deal.
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