Iran responds in tit-for-tat fashion against new US sanctions

After the White House placed new sanctions on Iran in response to its launching of a ballistic missile, the Islamic Republic announced that, in turn, it will penalize US individuals and companies that support “extreme terrorist groups.”

Iran is placing a set of restrictions on US individuals and companies that have supported “extreme terrorist groups” in the Middle East, after the White House announced new sanctions on Friday against the Islamic Republic.

“In response to the new move by the United States of America and as a reciprocal action, (Iran) will impose legal limitations for some American individuals and companies that have had a role in the creation and support of extreme terrorist groups in the region,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The names of these individuals and companies will be announced later.”

White House Press Secretary said that sanctions will be imposed against “25 individuals and entities that provide support to Iran’s ballistic missile program and the Islamic Revolutionary Quds Force” in response to the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile test on January 29 that is suspected to be in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The resolution, which endorsed the Iran nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 powers, prohibits Iran from conducting tests on ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

“We’ve taken these actions today, after careful consideration, and will continue to respond with appropriate action,” Spicer added on Friday. “These designations mark yet another step in our continued effort to aggressively target Iran’s ballistic missile program and terrorism-related activities.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry continued to argue that its missile development program has only been designed for defensive purposes and is therefore not in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

“Missile development and capabilities of the country, which is merely designed for defensive objectives and carrying conventional weapons and that will never be used except for legitimate defense, is the right of the people of Iran based on international law and the UN charter,” claimed Iran’s foreign ministry.

Spicer however, conveyed the Trump administration’s continued determination to rein in Iran.

“The sanctions today I think are going to be very, very strong and impactful, and I hope that Iran realizes that after the provocative measures that they’ve taken, that they understand that this President and this administration is not going to sit back and take it lightly,” Spicer added on Friday.

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News