President Trump signs executive order re-imposing sanctions on Tehran

World Today

An Iranian street money exchanger holds a U.S. banknote in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, July 30, 2018. Iran’s currency has dropped to a record low ahead of the imposition of renewed American sanctions, with many fearing prolonged economic suffering or possible civil unrest. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The United States is starting to re-impose sanctions on Iran Tuesday following Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal back in May of 2018.

The Trump administration states that it is applying “unprecedented financial pressure” on Tehran to force a change in Iranian policy.

The U.S. is ready to talk to Iran about a replacement deal, which would tackle not only nuclear issues, but also address it’s ballistic missile program and what Washington calls “malign behavior” in the Middle East; however, critics argued the U.S. is more interested in regime change.

CGTN’s Nathan King reports.

In May, the U.S. unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, and now they are re-imposing sanctions – the first round hitting Tuesday are related to finance and business.

“Trump and his government are the ones who have rejected negotiations and have turned their back on diplomacy,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said. “What he (Trump) is doing is against the Iranian nation and against the national interests of Iran. Iran is ready for diplomacy if there is honesty in the process.”

In response to Iranian President Rouhani’s claim that the U.S. are the ones that have walked away from the table, the White House said the offer of direct talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani still stands, but there will be no sanctions relief ahead of any meeting.

Washington said it aims to cut Iranian oil exports by November, which will tighten the economic noose even more.

Through citing the fall in the Iranian currency and protest on economic conditions in Tehran, the U.S. said its policy is already working. The country also denies that it wants to achieve regime change in Iran.

In reaction to U.S. pressure, China and other nations have vowed to continue buying Iranian oil. From Europe to Asia, nations said the U.S. is putting international security in jeopardy by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, a deal which all signatories, except Washington, argue was working well.

Iran has said it will respond soon to the United States. Matters could escalate quickly.


Ahmad Majidyar talks about the impact of US sanctions on Iran

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes talks with Ahmad Majidyar about the impact of pending U.S. sanctions on Iran.