Iran Sanctions 15 American Companies

Two days after the United States sanctioned 30 individuals and entities for sending sensitive technology to Iran, Syria, and North Korea, Tehran announced that it would impose sanctions on 15 American companies in retaliation for their cooperation with Israel. The list published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry includes 14 arms companies and one construction company. On Sunday, April 6, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that the US sanctions against Iran's missile program are 'unjustified' and 'contrary to international law and the text and spirit' of the Vienna nuclear agreement. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, the ministry stated that based on a resolution by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, 15 American companies that have 'egregiously violated human rights and international humanitarian law' are subject to sanctions by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Accordingly, 'any dealings with these companies and entities are prohibited, their assets within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be subject to seizure, and visas for entry into Iran will be denied to those individuals who hold positions or responsibilities in these companies or are in any way connected to them.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry also announced that it would continue to 'monitor' the activities of American companies, entities, and individuals and their role in supporting Israel, 'supporting terrorism, participating in the oppression of the people in the region, and especially their role in destabilizing the region,' and would add more names to the list of individuals and entities under sanctions if necessary. In its statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry mentioned the companies 'BENI Tal', 'United Technologies', 'RAYTHEON', and 'ITT Corporation' as four companies that have been sanctioned due to security cooperation with Israel and arms sales to the country. The Islamic Republic of Iran also sanctioned 'Re/Max Real Estate' for its involvement in the construction of Israeli settlements. The statement also noted that arms companies 'Oshkosh Corporation', 'Magnum Research Inc', 'Kahr Arms', 'M7 Aerospace', 'Elbit Systems', 'Military Armament Corporation', 'Lewis Machine and Tool Company', 'Daniel Defense', 'Bushmaster Firearms International', and 'H-S Precision, Inc' have been sanctioned for their cooperation with Israel in developing military equipment and transferring technology. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also sanctioned the arms manufacturer 'O.F. Mossberg & Sons', claiming that this company sells weapons to the Israeli army and police that are 'used in the suppression of Palestinian protests against civilians.' On Friday, February 3, 2017, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that it would impose legal restrictions on American individuals and companies as part of a 'reciprocal action.' On the same day, the US Treasury Department had placed 25 Iranian individuals and entities on its sanctions list in connection with an Iranian missile test. The United States also announced on Friday, April 4, that it had sanctioned 30 foreign individuals and entities for sending sensitive technology to Iran for its missile program or violating export controls to Iran, North Korea, and Syria. Meanwhile, 14 Democratic and Republican senators recently introduced a draft bill to sanction any individual or entity associated with Iran's ballistic missile program in the US Senate. Iranian Foreign Ministry officials have previously described the imposition of new sanctions against Iran's missile program as contrary to the 'spirit' of the Vienna nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president of Iran, stated that if US sanctions violate the Vienna nuclear agreement, Tehran will respond 'appropriately.' He added, 'Even if it is not a violation of the JCPOA, the Americans must know that such methods will not exert any pressure on us, and only their credibility in the international arena will be diminished.' However, American officials have stated that Iran's missile tests are in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. According to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Iran is not to develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads for eight years. Tehran claims that its missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads and that its missile tests do not violate the JCPOA or UN Security Council Resolution 2231. While Iran has sanctioned American companies, these companies have no relations with Iran, and this action seems to be more symbolic and nominal.