29 Mar 2024
Friday 31 July 2020 - 21:14
Story Code : 380818

Pompeo says US has expanded scope of Iran metals sanctions

Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said he was expanding the scope of Iran metals sanctions, targeting 22 specific materials that he said were used in connection with Irans nuclear, military or ballistic missile programs.

Pompeo in a statement called it a major expansion of the Iran metals-related sanctions administered by the State Department, allowing Washington to blacklist those who knowingly transfer the materials to Iran.

Irans nuclear, ballistic missile, and military programs pose a grave threat to international peace and security, Pompeo said in the statement.

Pompeo also said he was firm in his determination that Irans elite security force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), controls Irans construction sector.

As a result, sanctions may still be imposed on those who knowingly transfer certain materials, including graphite or raw or semi-finished metals, to or from Iran to be used in connection with the Islamic Republics construction sector, Pompeo said.

The materials he said he had determined are used in connection with Irans nuclear, military or ballistic missile programs included aluminum powder with purity above 98%.

Reuters reported in June that Iran Alumina Companys aluminum complex near the city of Jajarm is also home to a secret facility, set up by the IRGC, that has produced powder for use in Irans missile program.

Aluminum powder is a key ingredient in solid-fuel propellants used to launch missiles.

The United States has previously targeted Irans metals sector with sanctions in an effort to slash Iranian revenues.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have spiked since Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal struck by his predecessor, Barack Obama, and began reimposing sanctions that had been eased under the accord.

Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Leslie Adler and Tom Brown
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