US issues fresh Iran-related sanctions, continues 'maximum pressure' campaign

ISTANBUL

The US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions targeting Iran on Monday, continuing the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at curbing Tehran's missile program and nuclear ambitions.

Two individuals and one entity have been added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list, according to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website.

The newly sanctioned individuals are Sayyed Mohammad Reza Seddighi Saber and Ahmad Haghighat Talab, both Iranian nationals subject to secondary sanctions.

OFAC also designated Fuya Pars Prospective Technologists, also known as "Ideal Vacuum" or "Ideal Vacuum Store," to its sanctions list.

This action follows earlier sanctions imposed on Iranian entities and individuals linked to missile procurement and comes amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio further announced that the State Department blacklisted three Iranian nationals and one Iranian entity, which he alleged have ties to Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND). Rubio alleged that the SPND is "the direct successor organization to Iran’s pre-2004 nuclear weapons program."

"All individuals sanctioned are involved in activities that materially contribute to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," he said in a statement.

"Iran continues to substantially expand its nuclear program and carry out dual-use research and development activities applicable to nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons delivery systems. Iran is the only country in the world without nuclear weapons that is producing uranium enriched to 60 percent and it continues to use front companies and procurement agents to obscure its efforts to acquire dual-use items from foreign suppliers," he added.

The moves mark the latest step in Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign, reimposing sweeping sanctions.

The US continues to pressure Iran to halt its nuclear development as it imposes sanctions on Iran that seek to reduce oil exports to zero, maintaining its hardline stance after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal three years later during Trump's first term.

Trump has threatened military action against Iran if a new nuclear agreement that he views as superior to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is not reached.

Rubio recently said Iran can have a civilian nuclear program if it agrees to abandon uranium enrichment.