New Blow: First U.S. Sanctions on Iran After Snapback

The United States announced on Wednesday its first sanctions against Iran following the UN decision to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran.

The U.S. Treasury Department stated it had imposed sanctions on an Iranian network accused of purchasing weapons to support the country’s ballistic missile program, following the United Nations’ September 27 decision to reinstate restrictions on Iran.

Washington said it targeted 21 companies and 17 individuals it claims “pose a major threat to U.S. military personnel in the Middle East, to U.S. commercial vessels in international waters, and to civilians.”

The move comes after the UN’s recent decision to reimpose sanctions and restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as other military activities.

The sanctions announced on Wednesday are the first issued by President Donald Trump’s administration since the formal activation of the “snapback” mechanism last week. They increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

According to the Treasury Department, the targeted networks are spread across multiple countries, including Iran, as well as several Asian and European states.

In a statement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (referred to in some local reports as Scot Pisant) said: “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring weapons it could use to advance its malign objectives.”