Obama administration looks to penalize Iran over missiles

By Nahal Toosi


Sanctions would be first major U.S. measure against Iran since nuclear deal.


The Obama administration confirmed Wednesday that it is looking at ways to sanction Iran over over its recent test of a ballistic missile, a move that comes as the two countries are implementing a historic nuclear deal.
The confirmation, but no details, came in response to a report in The Wall Street Journal that new penalties being prepared by the Treasury Department would target around a dozen people and companies in Iran, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates believed to be affiliated with Iran’s ballistic missile program.

The sanctions would be the first major U.S. sanctions leveled against Iran since the nuclear agreement was reached in July, and they risk the possibility of angering Iran, which has suggested it would view such actions as a violation of the nuclear deal. The U.S. maintains that although it will lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran as part of the deal, it still has the right to keep and impose sanctions on Iran related to its human rights abuses, its sponsorship of terrorism and its ballistic missile activity.

“As we’ve said, we’ve been looking for some time at options for additional actions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program based on our continued concerns about its activities, including the Oct. 10 launch,” a senior administration official said in a late night statement. “We are considering various aspects related to additional designations, as well as evolving diplomatic work that is consistent with our national security interests. As always, we keep Congress informed about issues related to Iran sanctions, and will continue to do so as we work through remaining issues.”
Iran’s test of the medium-range ballistic missile in October was determined to have been a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution. A similar test was reported to have occurred in November. Obama administration officials have condemned such tests and promised to punish Iran, but they also say such missile tests do not violate the terms of the nuclear agreement.
Members of Congress opposed to the nuclear deal — as well as some who support it — have urged President Barack Obama to discipline Iran over the missile test.
During a hearing earlier this month, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) implied Obama may go easy on Iran over the missile launch to avoid scuttling the nuclear agreement.

According to the Journal, the sanctions would target a U.A.E.-based trading company and its founder suspected of aiding Iranian state companies trying to acquire materials for the missile program. A subsidiary based in Hong Kong is also among the targets, as are five Iranian officials working at the country’s Ministry of Defense for Armed Forces Logistics and its subsidiaries.
It’s unclear whether imposing sanctions will mollify critics of the nuclear deal, who are convinced that Iran cannot be trusted under any circumstances and who say any new sanctions would be minor compared to the relief from the sanctions being lifted as part of the nuclear deal. News about the potential new sanctions followed reports that Iran had tested rockets near some U.S. warships over the weekend.
“The administration continues to turn a blind eye to Iranian saber rattling, continued state sponsorship of terrorism, and violations of its international commitments for fear Iran will walk away from the nuclear deal,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on the rocket tests that did not refer to the new sanctions.
The missile test, rocket firing, and now the potential sanctions are among a series of flare-ups between Washington and Tehran as the nuclear deal heads into a critical phase. In recent days, Iranian officials have blasted changes to U.S. visa laws that they contend will undermine their economy.
But both the Obama administration and Iran appear determined to press ahead with the nuclear agreement — “Implementation Day” is expected in January. As part of the deal, Iran shipped more than 25,000 pounds of low enriched uranium to Russia this week. For its part, the U.S. is laying the legal groundwork to lift a slew of nuclear-related sanctions on the Islamic Republic.