Ongoing Consultations in the U.S. for Sanctions Against Iran Due to Missile Test

On Tuesday, January 5, the U.S. State Department emphasized that Iran has 'violated' United Nations Security Council resolutions with its test of the 'Emad' missile, and discussions within the U.S. State Department with other government agencies for the imposition of new sanctions against Iran 'are continuing vigorously.' According to Reuters, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the State Department, stated: 'We are fully prepared to impose sanctions related to this recent missile test, and we are still working through some technical issues in this regard.' Iran announced on October 11 that it had successfully tested a new generation of surface-to-surface missile named 'Emad,' claiming that 'this missile is capable of hitting intended targets with high precision and completely destroying them.' U.S. officials have stated that the Emad missile has the capability to carry a nuclear warhead, a claim that Iran has denied. According to Washington and the UN sanctions monitoring committee on Iran, the test of this missile 'violates Security Council Resolution 1929,' but Iran insists that the Emad missile test is entirely conventional. Hossein Jaberi Ansari, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reacted on January 1 to the potential intensification of sanctions against Iran due to this missile test, threatening that Tehran would respond to 'any interventionist action' by the U.S. by 'strengthening its defensive capabilities.' On the same day, it was reported that Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, has also called for the production of various missiles in Iran with greater speed and seriousness. John Kirby, in response to reporters' questions about whether the State Department has refrained from imposing new sanctions related to this missile test due to Iran's objections, stated that 'we do not take advice or guidance on sanctions from Iran or any other country.' He further emphasized: 'Discussions among agencies regarding advancing the issue of sanctions are ongoing vigorously.' The Wall Street Journal reported on January 9 that the U.S. is preparing new sanctions against individuals and companies in Iran, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates due to their 'role' in 'developing Iran's ballistic missile program.' According to unnamed U.S. officials, these sanctions will target nearly 10 companies and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong, and the UAE. Reuters also reported on the Wall Street Journal's findings, noting that the number of individuals and entities on the potential sanctions list is 12, including at least 'five Iranian officials' from the 'Ministry of Defense and its affiliated organizations.' In this context, the Revolutionary Guards unveiled a 'second missile city.' The U.S. stated that sanctions related to Iran's missile program will require more time. Hassan Rouhani called for the production of various missiles with greater speed and seriousness. Tehran's threatening reaction to the potential increase in sanctions from the U.S. was noted, as was the Wall Street Journal's report that the U.S. is preparing sanctions due to Iran's missile program.