MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY: Donald Trump issues DIRE ultimatum over Iran
DONALD Trump today turned up the heat on America’s trading partners in his campaign against Iran.
By ALISON LITTLE, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
Express.co.uk
Tue, Aug 7, 2018
In a chilling Tweet the US President made clear that any European companies which kept doing business with Iran after he this week reimposed swingeing sanctions on it would be barred from the US.
The European Union announced immediate action to protect its companies from America’s “extra-territorial sanctions” regime, which would punish not only Iran but firms in any country that breach US embargoes by doing business with the Middle Eastern state.
But many EU companies have already left Iran, fearing the loss of their lucrative US sales.
Mr Trump had previously taken the US out of a international deal struck in 2015 under Barack Obama to stop Iran trying to develop nuclear weapons in return for lifting sanctions, to let the country rebuild its trade and economic links.
Now he has ignored allies pleas and reimposed American sanctions on Iran – sparking fears of greater economic hardship and instability.
In a clear warning that the sanctions will have a far-flung impact, Mr Trump Tweeted: “The Iran sanctions have officially been cast. These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level.
“Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!”
US national security adviser John Bolton said the sanctions were already working: “The European governments are still holding to the nuclear deal, but their businesses are running from it as fast as they can so that the effect of the American sanctions really is proceeding regardless.”
Earlier, Alistair Burt, Foreign Office minister responsible for the Middle East, said the UK had no intention of following the US by also reimposing sanctions on Tehran.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan for Action, which Mr Trump has removed his country from and which the EU co-sponsored along with China Russia and America, was “an important part of not only the region’s security but the world’s security”, insisted Mr Burt.
“Iran has been complying with this nuclear deal in terms of removing part of its uranium stock and complying with the determination of the International Atomic Energy Agency to make sure that it wasn’t returning to nuclear adventurism, we think this is really important.
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