News / Politics / Foreign Policy

US imposes new anti-Iran sanctions on UAE companies

Thursday, 19 March 2020 6:45 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 19 March 2020 6:45 PM ]

The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, DC, on October 18, 2018. (AFP photo)

The United States has imposed new anti-Iran sanctions on five companies based in the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of having purchased petroleum products from Iran in 2019.

The US Treasury Department claimed in a statement on Thursday the UAE companies purchased the petroleum products from the National Iranian Oil Company for delivery to the Arab country.

The firms include Petro Grand FZE, Alphabet International DMCC, Swissol Trade DMCC, Alam Althrwa General Trading LLC, and Alwaneo LLC Co., the Treasury Department said on its website.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US State Department said Washington was imposing sanctions against some Iranian, Chinese, Hong Kong and South African firms.

The State Department claimed in a statement that those sanctions were meant to deprive Iran of “critical income from its petrochemical industry and further Iran’s economic and diplomatic isolation.”

Those targeted include Iran’s Armed Forces Social Security Investment Company Hong Kong-based Mcfly Plastic Hk Ltd, Saturn Oasis Co, Sea Charming Shipping Company Ltd; South Africa’s SPI International Proprietary Ltd And Main Street 1095; and Chinese companies Dalian Golden Sun Import & Export Co. Ltd., Tianyi International (Dalian) Co. Ltd. and Aoxing Ship Management (Shanghai) Ltd.

Mike Pompeo, the hawkish secretary of state and former CIA chief, said the sanctions are supposed to target nine entities and three individuals, accusing Tehran of “violent behavior.”

US announced illegal sanctions amid Iran's fight with coronavirus

The United States has imposed anti-Iran sanctions against some Iranian, Chinese, Hong Kong and South African firms.

The illegal sanctions were announced amid Tehran’s call on world states to defy US sanctions in the midst of Iran’s fight with the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington has been urged by China and Russia, along with others, not to impede Iran’s efforts to contain the covid-19 outbreak in the country.

US President Donald Trump’s administration, however, insists on keeping up with its “maximum pressure” campaign as the country itself struggles with the fast growing coronavirus pandemic.

Trump reinstated US sanctions on Iran in May 2018 after he unilaterally left the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and major world powers.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) — known as the World Court — has ordered the US to lift the sanctions it has illegally re-imposed on humanitarian supplies to Iran.

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