America and Iran
Tension between America and Iran has increased once again. America on Friday announced the imposition of new economic sanctions on 14 people and institutions associated with Iran. The US government says that these people and companies were being used to funnel money to Iran’s top leaders and avoid international financial regulations.
According to the US Treasury Department, the main target of these sanctions is Ali Ansari. He is an Iranian banker and businessman living in Dubai. The US alleges that Ansari provided financial benefits to influential Iranian leaders and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by investing government funds in real estate and other business assets abroad.
Action on network worth billions of dollars
America says that Ali Ansari and people associated with him made transactions worth billions of dollars using several shell companies and bank accounts in different countries. The US Treasury Department’s Foreign Assets Control Unit (OFAC) has also imposed sanctions on three Iranian exchange companies and some foreign front companies. It is alleged that these companies used to conduct transactions worth billions of dollars every year on behalf of banned Iranian banks and used many fake companies to hide the real transactions. America claims that through these networks Iran was helped in obtaining foreign currency and gaining access to the international financial system.
Strictness increased after attacks on oil tankers
These new restrictions have been imposed at a time when tension has increased again in the Strait of Hormuz. According to America, last week Iran attacked three oil tankers of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In response, America took action against some Iranian targets, while Iran retaliated against American military bases in the Gulf region. Although the situation remained calm on Friday, tension still remains between the two countries.
America’s big statement
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the US will continue to take action to weaken the economic strength of Iran’s ruling class. At the same time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said that Iran’s top leaders will be isolated from the global financial system by using whatever economic and legal means are available to America.
Ceasefire ends, but talks continue
US President Donald Trump said that the ceasefire with Iran has now ended. However, he also said that at the request of Iran, it has been agreed to continue talks between the two countries. On the other hand, Iran has warned that if America violates the agreement, it will respond with full force. Senior Iranian leader Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf said that Iran will not bow down to any pressure.
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