Why Are US-Iran Ties Worsening? Tehran Imposes Sanctions On American Companies In Tit-For-Tat

Days after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on companies and individuals that it believed helped Iran boost its ballistic missiles program, the latter hit back with a similar move. Tehran announced Sunday sanctions against 15 U.S. companies, which it said supported terrorism or violated human rights.

The companies under the Iranian sanction, mostly those involved in defense activities, “generously help the Zionist regime to continue its brutal treatment of Palestinians,” state news agency IRNA reported, citing the Iranian foreign ministry. These companies include defense technology firm Raytheon, ITT Corporation, United Technologies, specialty vehicles maker Oshkosh Corp. and firearm manufacturer Magnum Research.

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The U.S. had announced fresh sanctions on 30 foreign entities and individuals Friday, with 11 of those from China, North Korea or United Arab Emirates, particularly for transfers to Iran’s missile program.

“Iran’s proliferation of missile technology significantly contributes to regional tensions. As an example, we have seen indications Iran is providing missile support to the Houthis in Yemen. This destabilizing activity only serves to escalate regional conflicts further and poses a significant threat to regional security,” the State Department said in a statement announcing the sanctions. “We will continue to take steps to address Iran’s missile development and production and sanction entities and individuals involved in supporting these programs under U.S. law. The imposition of sanctions against these eleven foreign entities is a continuation of our commitment to hold Iran accountable for its actions.”

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Iran, on its part, condemned the sanctions imposed by the U.S. which it termed as “one-sided.” In a statement Sunday, the country's foreign ministry said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the recent measure taken by the United States administration to impose one-sided extraterritorial sanctions against Iranian and non-Iranian individuals and institutions.”

The Middle Eastern country is expected to face harsher sanctions under President Donald Trump’s administration. Last month, in a series of tweets, Trump criticized Iran for its ballistic missile launches and other non-nuclear activities and also berated his predecessor Barack Obama for going soft on the country. “Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!” he wrote.

In another tweet, he hit back at critics who linked him with Russia, and attacked Obama for his alleged ties with Iran. “I don't know Putin, have no deals in Russia, and the haters are going crazy - yet Obama can make a deal with Iran, #1 in terror, no problem!” he wrote.