Wall Street Journal: The U.S. Prepares Sanctions Due to Iran's Missile Program

The Wall Street Journal reports 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.' If this report from January 9 is confirmed, it would be the first time since the nuclear agreement on July 14 that Washington is moving towards new sanctions against Iran. The Wall Street Journal cites unnamed U.S. officials stating that these sanctions will target nearly 10 companies and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong, and the UAE, accused of contributing to the development of Iran's missile program. Reuters has also reported on the Wall Street Journal's findings, indicating that the list of potential sanctions includes 12 entities, with at least 'five Iranian officials' from the 'Ministry of Defense and its subsidiaries.' This report comes after Iran announced the testing of a new missile named 'Emad.' Shortly after, a team of U.N. observers stated that the 'Emad' test violated one of the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Iran's foreign minister previously emphasized that for Tehran, resolutions prior to Resolution 2231 are 'invalid.' His reference to Resolution 2231 pertains to the resolution issued after the nuclear agreement, which also requests Iran not to engage in activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. However, Iran's Ministry of Defense stated that the tested missile is 'completely conventional.' The 'Emad' test sparked a wave of criticism in the U.S. and increased pressure on the government to take action against Tehran. A large group of Republican senators and even some Democratic senators have called for maintaining direct sanctions against Tehran. Some have stated that if the U.N. Security Council does not take action, Washington should impose new sanctions independently. The Wall Street Journal suggests that the imposition of new sanctions may provoke a reaction from Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic; 'Iranian officials have warned the White House in recent months that financial sanctions, from the perspective of the Supreme Leader, signify a violation of the nuclear agreement.' On the other hand, critics of the government in the U.S. argue that the potential new sanctions are minor compared to those that will be lifted. However, they also acknowledge that the new potential sanctions could impact Iran's domestic politics and the upcoming elections in March, especially since the Iranian government faces staunch opposition from hardline conservatives due to the July 14 agreement. Senior U.S. officials have told the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. Treasury has reserved the right in the nuclear agreement to include individuals involved in the development of Iran's missile program on the sanctions list. These sanctions could also include those aiding 'international terrorism' and human rights violators. From the perspective of U.S. officials, these activities are separate from the nuclear agreement. Iranian officials have not yet responded to the Wall Street Journal's report. Since the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers, new tensions have arisen in U.S.-Iran relations, with the 'Emad' missile test being one of them. U.S. officials recently reported on a 'test missile launch' by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near a U.S. aircraft carrier, describing it as 'very provocative.'