After Iran Nuclear Sanctions Lifted, US Issues Fresh Embargo Over Ballistic Missile Program

UPDATED 11:47 a.m. EST — The U.S. Department of Treasury released a statement describing the 11 individuals and entities who were sanctioned Sunday over involvement in Iranian ballistic missile testing. The list included people and companies that were based out of China and the United Arab Emirates that had been serving as a front for Iranian military trafficking.

"This network obfuscated the end user of sensitive goods for missile proliferation by using front companies in third countries to deceive foreign suppliers," read a release from the Department of Treasury describing the group of companies and people who have looked to help Iran secure materials for a ballistic missile.

UPDATED 11 a.m. EST — President Barack Obama spoke at the White House Sunday to laud the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran while vowing the U.S. would not sacrifice its own safety in the name of Iranian diplomacy. The president's followed Secretary of State John Kerry's announcement of new sanctions against 11 companies and individuals over a ballistic missile test in Iran.

“We will continue to enforce these sanctions vigorously,” Obama said of the embargo over the ballistic missile program, adding, “We are going to remain vigilant about it; we’re not going to waver.”

Original Story:

The United States announced fresh sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program Sunday, a U.S. official said, Agence France-Presse reported. Announcement of the sanctions came a day after several Western powers including the U.S. lifted sanctions on Iran as part of the nuclear deal signed in July.

Details surrounding the Iranian ballistic missile program were limited, and the White House is scheduled to hold a background press conference at 11 a.m. EST.

“While being fully ready to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty, we are the messenger of peace, stability and security in the region and across the world,” Iranian President Rouhani said Sunday at a press conference.