Full Text of Donald Trump's Statement on the Resumption of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran

On Monday, August 6, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, signed an executive order reinstating sanctions against Iran. In the signing ceremony, he stated that the U.S. policy is to "apply maximum economic pressure" on Iran. The full text of Mr. Trump's statement is as follows: Today, the United States is taking action to resume nuclear sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on July 14, 2015. These actions include the resumption of sanctions on Iran's automotive industry, trade in gold and precious metals, as well as sanctions on the Iranian rial. These measures will take effect on August 7, 2018. Other U.S. nuclear sanctions against Iran will be implemented on November 5, 2018. They include sanctions on Iran's energy sector, including those related to oil, as well as transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. The United States is committed to the full enforcement of all sanctions, and we will work closely with countries that have commercial ties with Iran to ensure full compliance with the sanctions. Individuals and entities that do not reduce their dealings with Iran will face serious consequences. I am pleased that many foreign companies have already announced their decision to exit the Iranian market, and several countries have stated that they will reduce or cut imports of oil from Iran. We urge all countries to make it clear through such actions that the Iranian regime is faced with a choice: either change its threatening and destabilizing behavior and reintegrate into the global economy, or continue its economic isolation. My actions today, including signing an executive order titled "Resumption of Certain Sanctions Against Iran," are a continuation and in line with the "National Security Council Memorandum" dated May 11, 2018, which announced the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. The JCPOA, described as a terrible and one-sided agreement, failed to achieve its main goal of blocking all pathways for Iran to obtain a nuclear bomb and provided a vital financial source to a murderous dictator who continues to spread bloodshed, violence, and chaos. Since the agreement was reached, Iran's aggressive actions have increased. The regime has used the new financial resources it gained under the JCPOA to build nuclear-capable missiles, finance terrorism, and fuel war and crisis in the Middle East and beyond. Even today, Iran threatens the United States and our allies, undermines the international financial system, and supports armed extremist groups and terrorism around the world. The United States can protect its national security by withdrawing from the JCPOA and imposing sanctions against the Iranian regime. To date, my administration has imposed 17 sets of sanctions against Iran, covering 145 individuals and entities. Since the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in May of this year, my administration has sanctioned 38 Iranian-related targets in six separate actions. The resumption of nuclear sanctions in today's action will increase pressure on Tehran to change its behavior. While continuing to apply maximum economic pressure on the regime, I remain willing to reach a comprehensive agreement that addresses all of the regime's harmful activities, including its ballistic missile program and support for terrorism. The United States welcomes the cooperation of like-minded countries in these efforts. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Iran, who are the true heirs of Iran's rich heritage and the real victims of the regime's policies. We look forward to the day when the people of Iran, and all the people of the region, can thrive in security and peace together.