Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives: Europe Should Join Us in Imposing More Sanctions on Iran

Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, stated that the U.S. is negotiating with the European Union to intensify sanctions against Iran over Tehran's missile program and its foreign policy in the region. According to Reuters, Mr. Ryan, who is in Abu Dhabi, accused Iran on Thursday, January 25, of "seeking to increase its influence in the region at the expense of America's loyal allies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and must be sanctioned with new measures." He urged the European Union to join the U.S. in increasing sanctions on Iran. During the so-called JCPOA agreement, some of the sanctions on Iran imposed due to its nuclear program were suspended. However, the U.S. has imposed additional sanctions on Iran due to its long-range missile program. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, recently stated that after extending the suspension of nuclear sanctions against Iran for another 120 days, this would be the last time he would extend this suspension and that the "catastrophic" flaws in the nuclear agreement with Iran must be corrected. Paul Ryan said that the European Union must accompany the U.S. during this 120-day period to establish a firmer policy against Iran; otherwise, the U.S. President will reinstate all sanctions against Iran. The Republican Speaker of the House referred to Iran's missile tests, which he claimed violate the nuclear agreement, adding: "Look at what they are doing in the region, see what they have done in Syria, and look at what they are doing in Yemen." He continued: "From an economic standpoint, we can do more. We have tools at our disposal that we can use alongside our allies. This is something we are pursuing in negotiations, and we want Europe to join us in this effort." Donald Trump, in a statement before the end of the 120-day deadline for extending the suspension of Iran's sanctions, said: "Despite my great reluctance, I have not withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran. Instead, I have outlined two paths forward: either the catastrophic flaws in this agreement are corrected, or the United States will withdraw from this agreement." Trump and U.S. officials claim that Iran is not adhering to the "spirit of the JCPOA" due to its missile tests and destabilizing activities in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. Iran claims that it pursues its missile program for defensive purposes and that this issue is non-negotiable. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accuse Iran of instigating wars and causing political crises in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran has denied these accusations and, in turn, accused the Gulf Arab states of seeking to dominate the region and protect Israeli interests. This accusation has been denied by the mentioned countries. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated hours after the extension of the suspension of Iran's nuclear sanctions by the U.S. President that the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers, the JCPOA, is not open for renegotiation.