Nikki Haley: Discussion of Heavier Sanctions Against Iran is Ongoing in Trump's Administration

Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated in an interview with CNN that the implementation of heavier sanctions by the U.S. against Iran and Russia is not off the table, and discussions on this matter are ongoing within the Trump administration. In the interview aired on Sunday, April 20, the CNN reporter asked Ms. Haley whether Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, had called for increasing sanctions against Iran, Russia, and all supporters of Bashar al-Assad, and whether President Trump is in favor of imposing heavier sanctions against Russia and Iran. Nikki Haley responded, "This is a discussion we will have, and the conversation has started and will continue." Several American lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties had previously announced their intention to increase sanctions, including against Iran's missile program. However, it was later reported that the consideration of a new sanctions proposal related to Iran's missile program and several other non-nuclear issues had been postponed in the U.S. Senate. Senator Bob Corker cited the "reaction of the European Union" and the "elections" in Iran as reasons for the postponement of this proposal's consideration. Haley: All Options Are on the Table. In the continuation of her interview with CNN, Nikki Haley criticized the positions of Russia and Iran regarding the chemical attack that occurred in Syria, stating that "all options are on the table" against Russia and Iran. The United States claims that the recent deadly chemical attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, was carried out by the Bashar al-Assad regime, but the Syrian government and its allies deny this accusation. In response to the Khan Sheikhoun chemical attack, the U.S. targeted the Shayrat airbase in Homs province with missiles, which the U.S. claims was used by Bashar al-Assad's government in the chemical attack. Nikki Haley further stated that she has seen the evidence and that the President has seen it as well. She warned the members of the Security Council and the international community that President Trump's actions will not end here and that further actions will be taken if necessary. In recent days, Haley and other U.S. officials have spoken about the necessity of removing Bashar al-Assad from power following the chemical attack in Syria. Nikki Haley emphasized in her interview with CNN that as long as Bashar al-Assad is in power in Syria, finding a political solution for the war-torn country will not be possible. She also added that ISIS must be defeated and Iran's influence must be curtailed. This marks a shift in the recent position of the Trump administration, as Nikki Haley had stated the previous Thursday that Washington was no longer emphasizing the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power but was seeking a way to end the Syrian civil war. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, referred to the U.S. attack on the airbase in Syria as a "strategic mistake" and stated that the Islamic Republic has shown that it will not be pushed out of the field by such irrelevant words and wrong actions. In this context, McMaster stated that the U.S. intends to fight ISIS in Syria and witness the removal of Assad. The leader of the Islamic Republic stated that they will not be pushed out of the field by irrelevant words. Rouhani, in a phone call with Assad, stated that they will continue to stand by Syria. Nikki Haley reiterated that a solution for Syria is not possible with Assad in power and that Iran's influence must be ended.