Wall Street Journal: The US Has Delayed New Sanctions Against Iran

The Wall Street Journal reports that new sanctions that were supposed to be imposed by the White House against Iran due to its "missile program" have been delayed. However, US officials have emphasized their commitment to countering the Islamic Republic's "missile program." On December 30, the Wall Street Journal stated that recent missile tests in Iran prompted the US to prepare fresh sanctions against individuals and entities related to this issue. A list of those who were to face new sanctions was also published, including at least 12 individuals and companies. Yet, one day later, on December 31, the same newspaper cited official sources saying that the implementation of these sanctions has been postponed in light of the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers. Currently, Iran is imposing restrictions on its nuclear program, and as a result, international sanctions against Tehran will be lifted. US government officials have stressed that the White House is "steadfast" in countering Iran's "missile program," and the US Treasury Department still has new sanctions on its agenda. However, no specific date has been provided for the implementation of these potential sanctions. Republican lawmakers in the United States have criticized the Obama administration, claiming that the President and his government have lost their "will" to "challenge Iran." Some other critics argue that the potential new sanctions are insignificant compared to the sanctions that are set to be lifted. On the other hand, some argue that imposing new sanctions under the current circumstances could jeopardize the agreement reached to dismantle a significant part of Iran's nuclear activities. Others have pointed to the impact of these sanctions on the political atmosphere and upcoming elections in Iran. The recent report from the Wall Street Journal comes at a time when Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, wrote a letter to his defense minister, calling for the "production of various missiles needed by the armed forces with greater speed and seriousness" as the new year approaches. Nevertheless, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that the issue of new sanctions against Iran has no relation to recent "threats" and the nuclear agreement reached. Mr. Kirby said, "We continue our appropriate actions to prevent destabilizing behavior from Tehran." Previously, these sanctions were set to be announced on Wednesday morning (Washington time), but according to the Wall Street Journal, it was decided on the same day to delay them for now.