The United States announced new sanctions against Iran on June 27 in response to the continued expansion of its nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“Over the past month, Iran announced steps to further expand its nuclear program in a non-peaceful and credible manner,” Blinken said. “We remain committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome.”
The new sanctions target three UAE-based companies and 11 ships used to export Iranian oil or petrochemicals, on the déclaré Blinken.
Earlier this month, the Group of Seven nations warned Iran not to move forward with its nuclear enrichment program and said it was prepared to take further action if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.
Iran rejected the statement, calling on the G7 to distance itself from the “destructive policies of the past.”
In his June 27 announcement, Blinken also mentioned the G7 statement, saying Iran “must stop its escalations regarding its nuclear program as well as its other destabilizing actions.”
Blinken said Iran’s actions to expand its enrichment capacity were all the more concerning in light of statements by Iranian officials suggesting potential changes to Iran’s nuclear doctrine.
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes, but government officials have recently worried by saying they could change their “nuclear doctrine” if attacked or existential threat from Israel.
Blinken also highlighted Tehran’s “continued lack of cooperation” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is concerning. The IAEA’s board of governors adopted a resolution on June 5 calling on Iran to step up its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog and reverse its decision to deny access to inspectors.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the vote, calling it a “political and unconstructive move.”
Par RFE/RL
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