28 Mar 2024
Friday 1 January 2016 - 12:56
Story Code : 194858

White House delays new sanctions on Iran with no explanation report

The White House notified Congress on Wednesday that the following day the Treasury Department would implement new sanctions on Iran for its recent missile tests. However, when it came time, the Obama administration reportedly delayed without offering a reason.

The heads-up to Congress specified Thursday at 10:30 am as the time the new sanctions were to come into effect. The new penalties were to be imposed on just under a dozen companies and individuals from Iran, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates that the US believes have been involved in Irans ballistic missile tests, which took place earlier this month.

But come 11:12 am on Thursday, House of Representatives and Senate members received word that the announcement was going to be delayed for a few hours, according to the Wall Street Journal.


View image on Twitter

View image on Twitter







RT?@RT_com


Provocative: US military fume after Iran test-fires missile 1.3km away from USS Truman http://on.rt.com/70mq



9:20 AM - 30 Dec 2015

Nearly 11 hours later, however, around 10:00 pm, a White House email was sent, reading, We are considering various aspects related to additional designations, as well as evolving diplomatic work that is consistent with our national security interests, and as such we will not be announcing any additional designations today. We will continue to keep you informed as we work through remaining issues.

It is difficult to gauge the rationale for such a statement, because US officials have said Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif are almost always within reach of each other, and the White House maintains it is still opposed to Irans missile defense program, leaving the Treasury Departments sanctions on the table.

Republican lawmakers, however, havent hesitated to voice criticism over the postponement.

If the presidents announced sanctions ultimately arent executed, it would demonstrate a level of fecklessness that even the president hasnt shown before, Representative Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) told the Wall Street Journal.

On Thursday morning, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted, In response to new US #sanctions planned against Irans ballistic missile program, have ordered the Defense Minister to expedite the program, but slightly backed off less than an hour later, tweeting, If US continues its illegitimate interference w/ Irans right to defend itself a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities.


Hassan Rouhani@HassanRouhani


In response to new US planned against Iran's ballistic missile program, have ordered the Defense Minister to expedite the program



7:41 PM - 31 Dec 2015







Hassan Rouhani@HassanRouhani


If US continues its illegitimate interference w/ Iran's right to defend itself a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities



8:23 PM - 31 Dec 2015


State Department spokesman John Kirby told the Journal, Weve been clear from the outset thatoutside the parameters of Irans nuclear programwe would continue to take appropriate actions to address Tehrans destabilizing behavior.
However, based on previous statements, the Obama administrations next action could actually come in the form of sanctions relief. Since the US has recognized Irans curtailment of its nuclear program, some $100 billion in Iranian oil profits locked up in overseas accounts may be released as early as January, officials have said.


By RT
https://theiranproject.com/vdcene8zvjh8ovi.1kbj.html
Your Name
Your Email Address