Washington: In an unprecedented action that will further escalate tensions with Tehran, the US slapped sanctions on Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif which will curtail his international travel and freeze his assets in America.
Tensions between the two nations have heightened after the US last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal that aimed to curb Iranian nuclear activities. Washington has since reimposed tight sanctions affecting the Iranian economy.
There is a growing concern that a number of recent incidents in the Gulf could lead to a military conflict in the vital shipping region.
“Javad Zarif implements the reckless agenda of the Iran’s Supreme Leader and is the regime’s primary spokesperson around the world. The US is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behaviour is completely unacceptable,” treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday. The US had also imposed similar sanctions against Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in June.
“This action represents another step toward denying the Iranian regime the resources to enable terror and oppress the Iranian people,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after the Department of Treasury announced the designation of the Iranian foreign minister.
