One day after the Trump administration put Iran “on notice” following a ballistic missile test, the administration reportedly was poised Thursday to impose new sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Quoting a source, Reuters reported eight Iranian entities would be targeted for terrorism-related activities and 17 for activities related to ballistic missiles. The sanctions were said to have been in the works for some time, and Sunday’s missile test convinced President Donald Trump to trigger them.
The White House issued a statement Wednesday, saying Iran had been ungrateful for the agreements reached with the administration and apparently was embolden by the lack of action against some of its other moves.
“As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” the statement from national security adviser Michael Flynn said.
Iran tested a ballistic missile during the weekend and insisted this week such missile launches are not covered by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Iran claims its missile tests are for defensive purposes and not covered by either the nuclear deal or U.N. resolutions.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said he would support new sanctions on Iran and accused the Obama administration of having been far too accommodating.
“I would be in favor of additional sanctions on Iran,” Ryan told his weekly press conference. “I’d like to put as much toothpaste back in the tube as possible. I think the last administration appeased Iran far too much.”
Congressional aides told Reuters the administration is looking to take action without waiting for Congress since laws were passed but never implemented by the Obama administration.
President Donald Trump said Thursday “nothing is off the table” in dealing with Tehran in the wake of the missile launch and posted a pair of tweets indicating he would hold Iran to the letter of the deal signed between Tehran and the five members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
“The administration, thankfully, is going to follow through on appropriately holding Iran accountable for the violations that are taking place,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said, adding his committee is in the “early stages” of legislation.
Iran tested a ballistic missile Sunday capable of traveling 2,500 miles and carrying a nuclear warhead. The German newspaper Die Welt reported Thursday Iran also tested a homemade cruise missile with the same range and capability. The Times of Israel reported the missiles would be capable of reaching Israel and can be launched from ships.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the reimposition of sanctions against Iran and was expected to push that position at his scheduled meeting with Trump Feb. 15, the Jerusalem Post reported.
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