Iran Threatens Retaliatory Action in Response to Increased US Sanctions

Iran's Foreign Ministry has described the increase in missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic as "unacceptable and contrary to international law" and announced that it will add 9 new American companies and individuals to its previous sanctions list as a retaliatory measure. According to the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, this statement was published on Thursday, May 17. The names of these 9 companies and individuals will be announced "after going through the approval process by the relevant authorities." The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the increase in missile sanctions against Iran, stating that this action aims to "diminish the positive consequences" of the extension of the suspension of nuclear sanctions. The statement also describes the addition of individuals and legal entities to the US missile sanctions list as "illegal," "unacceptable, and contrary to international law." The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that, in a reciprocal action, it will add 9 American individuals and companies that, according to this ministry, have cooperated with Israel or have played a role in "supporting Takfiri terrorism" and actions against Iran's national security to its previous sanctions list. According to this statement, the "updated" list of these sanctions will be published "after going through the approval process by the relevant domestic authorities." The Trump administration on Wednesday, May 16, extended the suspension of Iran's nuclear sanctions for another 120 days. However, at the same time, the new US government placed seven Iranian and Chinese individuals and entities on its sanctions list due to their involvement in the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile activities. The US had previously sanctioned 25 Iranian individuals and entities and 30 foreign individuals and entities for their role in Iran's missile program in March 2017 and April 2018. At that time, in a reciprocal action, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that it would sanction 15 American companies based on a resolution by the Supreme National Security Council for cooperating with Israel. Iranian Foreign Ministry officials have previously stated that the imposition of new sanctions against Iran's missile program is contrary to the "spirit" of the Vienna nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, the statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Islamic Republic will continue its missile program "with strength and authority and based on prior planning."