U.S. reportedly preparing first post–nuclear deal sanctions against Iran


On Wednesday, the Obama administration provided Congress with a draft of new sanctions it intends to levy against five Iranians and several businesses and individuals outside Iran as punishment for Iran's ballistic missile tests in October and November. The sanctions, prepared amid rising tensions between Iran and the U.S., are the first to be issued by the U.S. since it and five other nations signed a deal with Iran to defang Tehran's nuclear weapons ambitions. The United Nations has banned Iran from developing and testing ballistic missiles, which experts say are useful only for delivering nuclear warheads; Iran insists its ballistic missiles are only for defensive purposes.
"We've been looking for some time at options for additional actions related to Iran's ballistic missile program based on our continued concerns about its activities, including the October 10th launch," a senior U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal late Wednesday. The sanctions are seen in part as a response to critics in the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia who accuse Obama of forgiving Iran's transgressions to save the nuclear deal. It's not clear how Iran will respond to the sanctions or how they will affect national elections scheduled for February.
Along with the five individuals at Iran's Ministry of Defense for Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and its subsidiaries, the sanctions are expected to target Dubai businessman Hossein Pournaghshband, his company, and its Hong Kong subsidiary. The amount of money involved is much smaller than the $100 billion Iran will gain access to when the nuclear deal takes effect, as soon as January.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What will be Warren Buffett's legacy?
Talking Points Observers call him 'the greatest investor of all time.'
-
Art review: "Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes From Art"
Feature At the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, through Aug. 17
-
What are certificates of deposit and how do they work?
The Explainer CDs may be the right solution for your savings goals
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read