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Iran sanctions: Rouhani condemns US 'psychological warfare' | Iran sanctions: Rouhani condemns US 'psychological warfare' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hit out at the United States over its reinstatement of economic sanctions. | Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hit out at the United States over its reinstatement of economic sanctions. |
He described the measures, which came into effect overnight, as "psychological warfare" which aimed to "sow division among Iranians". | He described the measures, which came into effect overnight, as "psychological warfare" which aimed to "sow division among Iranians". |
The sanctions take aim at various sectors, with further punitive action planned against Iran's oil trade. | The sanctions take aim at various sectors, with further punitive action planned against Iran's oil trade. |
The European Union has spoken out against the measures, vowing to protect firms doing "legitimate business". | The European Union has spoken out against the measures, vowing to protect firms doing "legitimate business". |
It follows the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, earlier this year. | It follows the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, earlier this year. |
The deal, negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama, saw Iran limit its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. | The deal, negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama, saw Iran limit its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. |
Mr Trump says the deal is "one-sided" and he believes renewed economic pressure will force Iran to agree to a new deal and end its "malign" activities. | Mr Trump says the deal is "one-sided" and he believes renewed economic pressure will force Iran to agree to a new deal and end its "malign" activities. |
What are the sanctions? | What are the sanctions? |
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order which brought sanctions back into place at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT) on Tuesday. They target: | US President Donald Trump signed an executive order which brought sanctions back into place at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT) on Tuesday. They target: |
A second phase is planned to come back into effect on 5 November which will have implications for Iran's energy and shipping sectors, petroleum trading and transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. | A second phase is planned to come back into effect on 5 November which will have implications for Iran's energy and shipping sectors, petroleum trading and transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. |
Why is the US implementing them? | Why is the US implementing them? |
The imposing of sanctions follows Mr Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal earlier this year. | The imposing of sanctions follows Mr Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal earlier this year. |
Mr Trump had long spoken out against the agreement, labelling it "disastrous" and the "worst deal I've ever seen". | Mr Trump had long spoken out against the agreement, labelling it "disastrous" and the "worst deal I've ever seen". |
Only the US has withdrawn, with other signatories remaining committed to the original agreement. But Iran's currency has lost almost half of its value since, squeezing the economy. | |
Mr Trump says Iran faces a choice to "either change its threatening, destabilizing behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation". | Mr Trump says Iran faces a choice to "either change its threatening, destabilizing behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation". |
"I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism," Mr Trump said on Monday. | "I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism," Mr Trump said on Monday. |
What has the reaction been? | What has the reaction been? |
Mr Rouhani rebuked Mr Trump's decision to reinstate sanctions, saying the US government had "turned their back on diplomacy" with the action. | Mr Rouhani rebuked Mr Trump's decision to reinstate sanctions, saying the US government had "turned their back on diplomacy" with the action. |
"They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation." Mr Rouhani said. "Negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense." | "They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation." Mr Rouhani said. "Negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense." |
"We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... but talks need honesty," | "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... but talks need honesty," |
He also accused the Trump administration of using Iran as domestic political leverage ahead of November's midterm elections in the United States. | He also accused the Trump administration of using Iran as domestic political leverage ahead of November's midterm elections in the United States. |
The foreign ministers of Germany, the UK and France released a statement on Monday that said the nuclear deal remained "crucial" to global security. | The foreign ministers of Germany, the UK and France released a statement on Monday that said the nuclear deal remained "crucial" to global security. |
They also unveiled a "blocking statute" which is intended to protect European firms doing business with Iran despite the new US sanctions. | They also unveiled a "blocking statute" which is intended to protect European firms doing business with Iran despite the new US sanctions. |
The US had previously rejected calls to offer exemptions, with Mr Trump vowing "severe consequences" against firms and individuals who continued to trade with Iran. | The US had previously rejected calls to offer exemptions, with Mr Trump vowing "severe consequences" against firms and individuals who continued to trade with Iran. |
An anonymous senior official told US media that the administration was "not particularly concerned" by EU protection efforts. | An anonymous senior official told US media that the administration was "not particularly concerned" by EU protection efforts. |