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US planning new Iran sanctions over ballistic missile programme – report Iran denounces US over reports of 'arbitrary and illegal' new sanctions
(about 11 hours later)
The US is preparing sanctions against firms and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates over alleged links to Iran’s ballistic missile programme, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Iran has reacted angrily to the prospect of fresh sanctions by the US against its ballistic missile programme, denouncing them as arbitrary and illegal.
Such a move would be the first American sanctions against Iran since Tehran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in July that will eventually see Washington drop separate sanctions targeting that programme. According to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, the US is preparing new sanctions against firms and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the newspaper, the Treasury Department is preparing sanctions on two Iran-linked networks helping develop the missile programme. The move follows a controversial test by Iran in October of its medium-range Emad rocket. A report by UN sanctions monitors said the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Iran insists the rocket is conventional, and purely for defence.
If they are imposed, the reported sanctions would be the first by Washington against Iran since Tehran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in July that will eventually involve Washington dropping separate, wider-ranging sanctions targeting that programme.
On Thursday, Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the Obama administration. “As we have declared to the American government ... Iran’s missile programme has no connection to the [nuclear] agreement,” state television quoted spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari as saying.
Ansari added: “Iran will resolutely respond to any interfering action by America against its defensive programmes.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that the US treasury department was preparing sanctions on two Iran-linked networks helping develop the missile programme.
Related: US accuses Iran of conducting 'highly provocative' rocket test near warshipsRelated: US accuses Iran of conducting 'highly provocative' rocket test near warships
Under the planned restrictions, US or foreign nationals would be barred from doing business with the firms and people in the networks. US banks would also freeze any US-held assets.Under the planned restrictions, US or foreign nationals would be barred from doing business with the firms and people in the networks. US banks would also freeze any US-held assets.
A senior US administration official told the Guardian: “As we’ve said, we’ve been looking for some time‎ at options for additional actions related to Iran’s ballistic missile programme based on our continued concerns about its activities, including the October 10th launch.  A senior US administration official told the Guardian: “As we’ve said, we’ve been looking for some time‎ at options for additional actions related to Iran’s ballistic missile programme based on our continued concerns about its activities, including the October 10th launch.
“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.”“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.”
Treasury officials did not immediately return an AFP call seeking comment, and the Iranian government did not comment to the Wall Street Journal on the possible new sanctions. Iranian officials had previously warned that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, would view any new US sanctions as a violation of the nuclear deal.
But Iranian officials have previously warned that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei would view such new US sanctions as a violation of the nuclear deal. US officials told the newspaper the treasury department maintained the right to sanction Iranian entities allegedly involved in missile development, or those that support rights abuses or international terrorism.
US officials told the newspaper the Treasury Department maintained the right to sanction Iranian entities allegedly involved in missile development, or those that support rights abuses or international terrorism. The planned sanctions target UAE-based Mabrooka Trading and its founder, Hossein Pournaghshband, for allegedly helping procure carbon fibre for the missile programme.
Iran has test-fired two ballistic missiles since the July accord, officials told the newspaper. Iran says its missile program is for defence purposes only.
The planned sanctions target UAE-based Mabrooka Trading and its founder, Hossein Pournaghshband, for allegedly helping procure carbon fibre for the missile programme.
Pournaghshband also allegedly used a Hong Kong subsidiary for the heat-resistant material’s procurement and financing, the Wall Street Journal reported. Attempts by the newspaper to reach him were unsuccessful.Pournaghshband also allegedly used a Hong Kong subsidiary for the heat-resistant material’s procurement and financing, the Wall Street Journal reported. Attempts by the newspaper to reach him were unsuccessful.
The Treasury is also reportedly preparing to sanction five Iranian officials who allegedly worked on the missile programme. The treasury is also reportedly preparing to sanction five Iranian officials who allegedly worked on the missile programme.
The planned new sanctions come even as the US prepares to begin lifting earlier, far-reaching international restrictions on Iran related to its nuclear activities. The planned new sanctions come even as the US prepares to begin lifting earlier, far-reaching international restrictions on Iran related to its nuclear activities.
Iran’s atomic energy agency said 11 tonnes of uranium materials were sent to Russia on Monday, a move the US secretary of state, John Kerry, said was “significant progress” under the 14 July nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers.Iran’s atomic energy agency said 11 tonnes of uranium materials were sent to Russia on Monday, a move the US secretary of state, John Kerry, said was “significant progress” under the 14 July nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers.
Critics of the Iran nuclear deal worry that ballistic missiles could be used to carry a nuclear warhead. Ballistic missile tests by Iran are banned under security council resolution 1929, which dates from 2010 and remains valid until the July nuclear deal between Iran and world powers goes into effect.
Once the deal takes effect, Iran will still be “called upon” not to undertake any ballistic missiles work designed to deliver nuclear weapons for a period of up to eight years, according to a security council resolution adopted in July right after the nuclear deal.
Iran says the resolution would only ban missiles “designed” to carry a nuclear warhead, not “capable of”, so it would not affect its military programme as Tehran does not pursue nuclear weapons.
When the nuclear deal is implemented Iran will be allowed to return to the international financial system, receive billions of dollars that were frozen by foreign banks, and sell greater quantities of oil abroad.When the nuclear deal is implemented Iran will be allowed to return to the international financial system, receive billions of dollars that were frozen by foreign banks, and sell greater quantities of oil abroad.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report