The United States announced new sanctions Tuesday against a number of companies involved in Iran’s metal production industry.
The U.S. Treasury designated 17 companies and one Iranian national, Majid Sajdeh, claiming that revenue generated by them helps the Iranian regime fund its alleged nuclear weapons program and support terror networks around the globe. The new designees include 12 Iranian metal producers, a Chinese graphite electrode producer, and three international firms that sell on behalf of Iranian mining companies. (RELATED: Iran Reportedly Resumes Uranium Enrichment, Seizes South Korean Oil Tanker)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listen during a press conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2019 in New York City. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced yesterday that the House will launch a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“The Trump Administration remains committed to denying revenue flowing to the Iranian regime as it continues to sponsor terrorist groups, support oppressive regimes, and seek weapons of mass destruction,” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
“The Iranian regime uses revenue from its metals sector to fund the regime’s destabilizing activities around the world,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added. “The United States will continue to aggressively implement sanctions with respect to the Iranian regime, those who evade sanctions, and others who enable the regime to fund and carry out its malign agenda of repression and terror.”
Tuesday’s actions were taken under an executive order previously signed by President Donald Trump that grants the government significant leeway to sanction any groups thought to be major revenue drivers for the Iranian regime.
The White House did not respond to Daily Caller’s inquiries on what prompted the new sanctions by press time.