Financial Times: Trump's Team Considering New Non-Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran

The British newspaper Financial Times reported on Friday, citing U.S. congressional representatives, that Donald Trump's appointed transition team is looking for ways to sanction Iran in a manner that does not contradict the nuclear agreement. The report states that potential sanctions could include actions related to Iran's missile program or concerning human rights records in the Islamic Republic. Financial Times then quotes a member of Congress who is in contact with members of Trump's transition team, stating: 'They [the transition team] are exploring options, and these options will include non-nuclear sanctions.' This report comes a day after the U.S. Senate approved a law extending sanctions on Iran for another 10 years, which provoked a strong reaction from Iran. Iranian officials emphasize that extending the law on Iran sanctions means violating the nuclear agreement, but U.S. congressional representatives reject this claim, stating that extending the law is merely a continuation of sanctions that have been in place for years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress's bill requires the signature of Barack Obama, the President of the United States, who is expected to sign it. The Obama administration has faced severe criticism from Republicans over the nuclear agreement with Iran, and even Donald Trump promised during his campaign to tear up this agreement. However, following Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, speculation about the future U.S. policy towards Iran and the nuclear agreement has increased. Financial Times writes that officials and experts connected to Trump's transition team are still in the early stages of formulating future U.S. policy regarding Iran. In this context, Iran has denied conducting 'new negotiations regarding the provisions of the nuclear agreement.' Salehi: 'In case of a violation of the JCPOA, we can reach significant enrichment within a year and a half.' The White House: 'After the Senate's approval, Obama will decide on signing the Iran sanctions law.'