US Accuses Iran of Threatening Behavior, Reimposes Sanctions

At one minute past midnight Tuesday, the United State reimpose sanctions on Iran citing “threatening, destabilizing behavior,” effectively dismantling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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All transactions involving the use of the U.S. dollar will be among the first targets of the new restrictions. The automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold are the others.

“To this day,” U.S. President Donald said, “Iran threatens the United States and our allies, undermines the international financial system, and supports terrorism and militant proxies around the world.” Trump says the measures are being undertaken to generate “maximum economic pressure.”

The restrictions were reapplied after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed calls for talks with Washington, adding that the U.S. aims to “create chaos in Iran” and as a result “cannot be trusted.” The United States has said the only way for Iran to avert sanctions would be to agree to negotiate its missile and nuclear program.

“The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian program remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports,” representatives for the European Union, France, the UK and Germany said in a joint statement Monday.

“It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.”

Sanctions targeting the country's oil sector and the central bank will be reimposed early November. Permits allowing the importation of Iranian carpets and food, like pistachios, will be revoked.

The restrictions had previously been eased in 2015 nuclear deal under the Obama administration in exchange for the freezing of Iran's nuclear program.