The Obama administration has decided to support the lifting of UN sanctions two Iranian state banks. They have been blacklisted for funding the Iranian program on creation of ballistic missiles on the same day in January, when Tehran released the four American citizens from prison, according to American officials and congressional staff who were aware of the negotiations, writes The Wall Street Journal.
“UN sanctions against the two banks originally were not supposed to be charged until 2023, under the terms of a landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, which came into force on 16 January,” — says the publication.
New details on the exclusion of banks from the list came after administration officials briefed lawmakers earlier this month of the US decision, the article says.
According to US officials, a senior official of the Department of state Brett Mcguirk and the representative of the government of Iran has signed the document in Geneva on the morning of 17 January.
A few hours after the documents were signed in a Swiss hotel, the various components of the agreement entered into force: the Americans have been released, Iran has received $400 million in cash, and the UN security Council lifted sanctions against banks Sepah and the Sepah International, as stated by these officials.
In the documentary, shown Tasnim news Agency, Iranian media related to the Islamic revolutionary guards Corps, in February, said that Iranian government officials have demanded that Sepah from the sanctions list as part of the deal to release prisoners, the newspaper reports.
U.S. officials said that Washington would agree on the sanctions list of the UN with the us. And, in their words, Washington believes that Iran has earned more easing of sanctions, as Tehran is implementing the terms of the nuclear agreement.
“In agreeing to lift the UN sanctions and the EU for eight years before with the main Bank in Iran, financed rocket program, the administration essentially gave the green light to their program to build ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads,” — said mark Dubowitz, a leading critic of the nuclear deal with Iran (Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Washington).
“The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned banks Sepah and the Sepah International and then Chairman in 2007 for their alleged role in supporting the Iranian missile program”, — notes the edition.
According to American officials, the Obama administration carefully checked the work of all individuals and organizations related to Bank Sepah, before you support the lifting of US sanctions and the UN.
“We have the ability to quickly re-enter the US sanctions, the Bank Sepah or any other entity will participate in activities that fall under sanctions,” said a senior official of the United States.
