US imposes new sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program

The Treasury Department announced new sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unit responsible for ballistic missile research and development, as well as Iran’s Parchin Chemical Industries and an Iranian intermediary that worked on procuring missile propulsion parts.

“Iran’s ballistic missile activities continue to destabilize the Middle East region, and the United States will continue to use all tools at our disposal to stop them,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday. thursday (30th).

The new sanctions come as the United States is still trying to reach an agreement with Iran to re-enter the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. While US officials said a deal appeared close earlier this month, there have been signs in recent days that it may not be imminent.

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley told Becky Anderson of CNNin Doha on Sunday (27), that a nuclear deal “is not forthcoming and not inevitable” due to outstanding issues, including Tehran’s demands related to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Also on Sunday, Blinken said during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that the US would fight Iran’s hostile actions no matter what happens with the nuclear deal.

“Deal or no, we will continue to work together and with other partners to combat Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region,” Blinken said.

The Treasury Department said the new sanctions were enacted after the March 13 missile attack on the Iraqi city of Erbil. The missiles landed near the US consulate building, which is under construction, although the State Department said it did not hit any US facilities.

The Treasury statement also cited the “Iran-enabled Houthi missile attack on a Saudi Aramco facility on March 25, as well as other Iranian missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” saying that all attacks “are a reminder that the development and proliferation of ballistic missiles continues to pose a serious threat to international security.”

“As the United States continues to seek Iran’s return to full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, we will not hesitate to attack those who support Iran’s ballistic missile program,” said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson. , in a statement.

“We will also work with other partners in the region to hold Iran accountable for its actions, including gross violations of its neighbors’ sovereignty.”