The US slapped new sanctions on Iran on Wednesday, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement defending the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign where he boasted about the damage it has done to Iran’s economy.
“The Maximum Pressure campaign against the Iranian regime continues to be extraordinarily effective,” Pompeo said. “Today, Iran’s economy faces a currency crisis, mounting public debt, and rising inflation. Prior to the Maximum Pressure campaign, Iran was exporting nearly 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. Now it struggles to export even a quarter of that volume.”
Pompeo warned against lifting the sanctions, a clear message to the incoming Biden administration. The diplomat closed his statement promising additional sanctions. “Throughout the coming weeks and months, we will impose new sanctions on Iran,” he said.
The new sanctions announced on Wednesday target what the Treasury Department calls a “key patronage network” for Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The measures blacklisted a foundation said to be controlled by Khamenei. The sanctions also targeted Iran’s intelligence minister over alleged human rights abuses during anti-government protests last year.
The new sanctions and Pompeo’s comments seem to confirm earlier reports that said the US is planning a flood of sanctions on Iran before Biden is inaugurated on January 20th. The idea is to make it difficult for Biden to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal, something the former vice president said he plans to do.
US officials insist the sanctions have exemptions for humanitarian goods, but wrecking a country’s economy will always have a devastating effect on its civilian population. A recent report from Middle East Eye documented how a round of sanctions the US added in October was choking Iran’s insulin supply.
A Christian bragging about destroying lives. Seems rather hypocritical.
Pompeo would say it’s part of his culture.
This is just plain sick but when ghouls and goons are the state dept, not much different to expect.
Pompass earning his plaudits and whatever else from Israel and the virulent Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which state works with closely.
Trump deserves to lose on this alone.
Absolutely.
I thought Hillary Clinton was a terrible SoS but Pompass and his “Christian beliefs,” lies and utter dismissal of sovereignty of any nation, “ally” or “enemy”, is even worse.
barbaric amerikans never change, too cowardly to invade they attempt to starve children
dims worse, more corrupt than trump—biden only performed better than Clinton in 4 corrupt US dimocrat cities—philadelphia, Milwaukie, Detroit, Atlanta
Despicable POS..