The U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran Due to 'Escalation of Nuclear Tensions'

U.S. Secretary of State announced that the United States imposed new sanctions on Iran on Thursday, July 7, in response to the 'continuation of the escalation of nuclear tensions.' Antony Blinken stated in a statement: 'Iran has taken steps in the past month to further expand its nuclear program in ways that do not have a credible peaceful purpose.' He expressed: 'We are committed to ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon and are prepared to use all elements of our national power to ensure this.' According to the U.S. decision, three companies based in the United Arab Emirates and 11 related vessels accused of involvement in the transportation of Iranian oil or petrochemical products have been sanctioned. According to the U.S. State Department, as a result of today's action, all assets and interests of the sanctioned companies and vessels in the United States will be blocked and seized. Three European countries: Iran should stop the escalation of nuclear tensions and return to its JCPOA commitments. The G7 industrialized nations warned Iran earlier this month regarding the advancement of its nuclear enrichment program and stated that if Tehran sends ballistic missiles to Russia, they are ready to implement new measures. Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, responded to this statement by urging the G7 to distance itself from what he called 'destructive past policies.' The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency approved a resolution earlier this month urging Iran to increase its cooperation with the organization and lift the recent ban on inspectors. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity, close to the 90% needed for weaponization, and if further enriched, it would have enough enriched material for three nuclear weapons. Western powers state that there is no credible civilian justification for Iran's increased uranium enrichment. Tehran claims that the goals of its nuclear program are entirely peaceful, but officials of the Islamic Republic have recently stated that if Iran is attacked or its existence is threatened by Israel, it may reconsider its 'nuclear doctrine.' These statements have raised alarms among the Agency and Western countries.