Obama extends national emergency against Iran
US President Barack Obama has extended the country’s national emergency with respect to Iran despite last year’s nuclear agreement with Tehran and the P5+1 to lift sanctions.
In a letter sent to Congress on Thursday, Obama told lawmakers that US relations with Iran have not returned to normal, and that it’s necessary to maintain the status quo.
"Our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal, and the process of implementing the agreements with Iran, dated Jan. 19, 1981, is still under way," Obama wrote in the letter. "For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency ... with respect to Iran."
“The national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12170 of November 14, 1979, is to continue in effect beyond November 14, 2016,” he wrote.
The executive order means non-nuclear US sanctions against Iran will remain in effect for at least another year.
A state of emergency gives a US president extraordinary powers, including the ability to seize property, summon the National Guard and hire and fire military officers at will.
The state of emergency also forms the basis for most US sanctions against other countries.
Former US President Jimmy Carter signed two orders in 1979 and 1981, declaring a state of emergency with respect to Iran.
Tehran signed a nuclear deal with the P-5+1 group of countries that included the US in July 2015. The agreement stipulates that Washington end its nuclear-related anti-Iran sanctions.
However, months after the lifting of anti-Iran bans on paper, major foreign banks are wary of doing business with Iran, fearing they would violate restrictions on US banks and face penalties.
Trump team drawing up list of Pentagon officers to fire: Sources
Iran warns US against resumption of ‘maximum pressure’ policy
Seoul prepares for second Trump presidency
‘Arab Nelson Mandela’ released after 40 years in France
VIDEO | Jordanians condemn Israel’s ban on UNRWA activities in occupied Palestine
VIDEO | Million-man march held in Yemen in support of Gaza, Lebanon
Iran says resolved to ‘legally’ pursue Gen. Soleimani assassination case
VIDEO | Outraged over Gaza genocide, Iraqi protesters burn Israel, US and UK flags
Far-right German party calls for UN probe into ‘Berlin’s role’ in Nord Stream blasts
Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ shows US debilitated, desperate: Fmr. IRGC chief
Jordan rage: Protesters blast Israel’s genocide in Gaza, carnage in Lebanon
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
