The United States imposed sanctions on three companies and 11 vessels from the United Arab Emirates that are involved in shipping Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. This move is in response to Tehran’s decision to expand its nuclear program.
On Thursday, the State Department released a list of blacklisted entities in response to reports of advancements in Iran’s nuclear program.
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In a statement released on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concerns over Iran’s recent announcements to expand its nuclear program. According to Blinken, these steps have no credible peaceful purpose, raising alarm bells about the intentions of the Iranian government.
The United States is taking action today against entities and vessels that are involved in the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade in response to the ongoing nuclear escalations.
Since 2018, Iran has been significantly increasing its nuclear program. The reason for this can be traced back to the decision made by former US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Iran and withdraw the country from an Obama-era multinational nuclear agreement. The accord was created with the aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In a recent report, the International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium has increased by 17% in the last three months. This development has raised concerns about the Tehran regime’s proximity to obtaining the necessary material required to build a nuclear weapon.
Iran is expanding its enrichment capacity at the Fordow Enrichment Plant by adding eight new cascades, each consisting of 174 centrifuges. This move could potentially increase the total enrichment capacity by almost four times.
The Institute for Science and International Security reported that the plant could potentially generate a significant amount of weapon-grade enriched uranium. In just one month after increasing its capacity, the plant could produce enough uranium for five nuclear weapons. By the end of the second month, it could produce enough for nine nuclear weapons.
Earlier this month, the Group of Nations released a statement urging Iran to put an end to its “destabilizing actions” and emphasizing their unwavering determination that Tehran should never have the capability to create or obtain nuclear weapons.
The allied nations have called on Tehran to put an end to its nuclear escalations and halt its ongoing uranium enrichment activities, which they believe have no credible civilian justifications.
On Thursday, three companies were added to the blacklist which includes Sea Route Ship Management FZE, Almanac Ship Management LLC, and Al Anchor Ship Management FZE.
Blinken stated that it is their firm commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and they are ready to utilize all available national resources to achieve this goal.
Earlier this month, the G7 leaders including President Biden emphasized the need for Iran to put an end to its nuclear program escalations and other actions that cause destabilization.
The individuals who have been named in the sanctions will have all their properties and interests in the United States frozen. Additionally, U.S. persons will be prohibited from conducting any business with them.
As Israel wages a conflict against Tehran-supported Hamas in Gaza, the United States has implemented several sanctions against Iran and its proxy militias, which have grown more confident.
