US imposes new sanctions on Iran amid anti-regime protests

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The U.S. has announced fresh sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile program.

The new sanctions target five subsidiaries of the Iranian industrial group Shahid Bakeri—Shahid Kharrazi Industries, Shahid Sanikhani Industries, Shahid Moghaddam Industries, Shahid Eslami Research Centre and Shahid Shustari Industries—which are considered instrumental in the development and production of the country’s ballistic missile program, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

“These sanctions target key entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program, which the Iranian regime prioritises over the economic well-being of the Iranian people,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “As the Iranian people suffer, their government and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) fund foreign militants, terrorist groups and human rights abuses.”

The new sanctions come amid widespread anti-government protests in Iran. President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for the protesters, who are challenging the regime on grievances ranging from a poor economy to the Islamic Republic’s interventions in the Middle East.

Last December, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called “undeniable” evidence that Iran is providing missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen in violation of international law. At the time, Haley said the U.S. plans to build a coalition to confront Iran over its ballistic missile program.

“You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what they’re doing,” Haley  said. “The fight against Iranian aggression is the world’s fight.”

JNS.org