Sherman: Lifting International Sanctions on Quds Force Commander Will Take Several Years

On July 16, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, told reporters that Qassem Soleimani, who will be removed from the sanctions list in the first phase of sanctions relief, is not the Quds Force commander but rather a manager of a uranium mine. According to Sherman, the lifting of sanctions on Soleimani will occur in the second phase of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), contingent upon all parties fulfilling their commitments, and will take several years. This senior member of the U.S. negotiating team in the nuclear talks stated that Soleimani will remain on a separate U.S. sanctions list aimed at counter-terrorism, which is distinct from the sanctions related to Tehran's nuclear program. A reporter's question referred to 'General Soleimani,' to which Sherman clarified that the Soleimani who will be removed from the sanctions list in the first phase is not the Quds Force commander. Previously, some U.S. media outlets had indicated that Soleimani would be removed from the sanctions list, including ABC News, which reported on July 15 that sanctions against the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force would be significantly reduced. At the same time, a senior U.S. State Department official stated that lifting sanctions on Soleimani would take eight years, after which he would still remain on the U.S. sanctions list. Soleimani was placed on the U.S. sanctions list in 2011, partly due to his role in suppressing protests in Syria. The U.S. State Department criticized Damascus for employing Iranian tactics in suppressing protesters. The sanctions against Soleimani include travel and trade bans. Last December, UN observers noted that the publication of photos of Soleimani in Iraq could potentially be evidence of the Quds Force commander's presence in that country, which would violate international sanctions. These images were related to operations by Iraqi volunteer forces against advances by the group known as the 'Islamic State' in that country. Reports have emerged regarding Soleimani's role in leading Shiite volunteer groups or consulting and meeting with Iraqi Kurdish forces, who are battling against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. A U.S.-led coalition has also targeted the self-proclaimed Islamic State with airstrikes.