The Trump administration is ramping-up pressure on Iran by reimposing sanctions previously lifted under former President Obama as part of the Iran nuclear deal.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the sanctions Friday, saying they target Tehran’s energy, shipbuilding, shipping and banking sectors.
They also said countries which continue to do business with Iranian entities will be penalized.
In audio released by the State Department, Pompeo said the ultimate goal is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country.
“These sanctions hit at core areas of Iran’s economy, they are necessary to spur changes we seek on the part of the regime,” said Secretary Pompeo. “These sanctions are far tougher than the sanctions that have ever been imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran — that is why they are so desperate to find ways to circumvent it.”
After Pompeo’s announcement, President Trump tweeted a “Game of Thrones” reference in relation to the move.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2018
Back in May, the president pulled-out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. He called it a horrible deal and warned anyone who fails to comply with the sanctions will face severe consequences.
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:47 PM PT — Fri. Nov. 2, 2018
