The U.S. Announces Details of Resuming Sanctions Against Iran

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that Washington will announce details regarding the resumption of some sanctions against Iran, including currency restrictions, on August 6. Pompeo reminded reporters that the U.S. is resuming sanctions against Iran as announced after Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA; these sanctions were set to be re-implemented in 90 and 180-day intervals. Trump announced his decision to exit the nuclear agreement on May 8 after months of criticism of the deal made during Barack Obama's presidency. U.S. officials say that starting from the morning of August 7, the Iranian government will no longer be able to purchase U.S. dollars, and the sanctions will include industries and parts of Iran's production. According to what the U.S. Treasury Department had previously announced, the first phase of sanctions against Iran, which were also in effect before the nuclear agreement, includes various sectors such as limiting the Iranian government's access to dollars, gold trade, and the purchase and access to several metals like aluminum and steel. At the same time, several licenses issued by the U.S. government after reaching the nuclear agreement, including the import of Iranian goods like carpets and foodstuffs to the U.S. and the purchase of passenger planes and spare parts, will become ineffective. Pompeo reiterated Washington's demands from Tehran, stating that the return of sanctions is to counter Iran's 'malicious activities.' The U.S. accuses Iran of interfering in other countries' affairs, engaging in 'destabilizing activities' in the region, and violating the 'spirit of the JCPOA' by developing ballistic missiles and other actions. On the last day of May, Pompeo announced 12 conditions for reaching a new agreement with Iran; conditions such as disclosing all aspects of nuclear activities to the agency, allowing inspectors access to all nuclear facilities, freeing Iranian-American citizens, ending support for groups like Hezbollah, withdrawing from Syria, and others. The Islamic Republic has rejected U.S. accusations of interference in other countries' affairs, accused Washington of violating the spirit of the JCPOA, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. at the Hague for exiting the nuclear agreement and resuming sanctions, and claims its missile program is defensive. On August 5, Pompeo stated that the Iranian people's dissatisfaction stems from their leaders' inability to fulfill promised economic commitments. Iran's economy has faced severe turbulence and tensions in recent months following Trump's election and the final decision to exit the JCPOA. The rial has significantly lost its value against the dollar, the prices of gold and other goods have risen, and a wave of protests has emerged in various Iranian cities. Although the protests and gatherings are economically motivated, they have included sharp political slogans against the Supreme Leader, institutions under his supervision, and senior officials of the Islamic Republic, as well as against Iran's presence in other regional countries and in praise of the Pahlavi kings. In recent days, the U.S. President has stated he is willing to talk to the Iranian President without preconditions. Trump emphasized that Iran's economic situation is rapidly deteriorating, and ultimately it is the senior officials of the Islamic Republic who must decide whether they are willing to engage in dialogue. Pompeo stated that Iran's commitment to changing its behavior is a criterion for the value of any dialogue with the Islamic Republic. Some senior political and military officials in Iran have reacted to the possible negotiations with the U.S., but the Supreme Leader and the Iranian President have not yet commented on this matter.