US imposes sanctions on Iranian authorities and mining companies

The Treasury Department of the United States said on Friday imposing new sanctions against eight high officials Iran , including the secretary of the National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and 17 producers of metals and mining companies, a tripartite body with China and Seychelles, a cargo ship. The imposition of new restrictions had been anticipated by US President Donald Trump in response to Tehran's attacks on two US bases in Iraq on Tuesday night 7.

"The United States is targeting top Iranian officials because of their involvement and complicity in Tuesday's ballistic missile attacks," US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement. “We are also designating Iran's largest metals manufacturers and imposing sanctions on new sectors of the Iranian economy, including construction, manufacturing and mining. These sanctions will continue until the regime stops financing global terrorism and commits to never having nuclear weapons, ”he added.

Other Iranian authorities affected by the sanctions include Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Basij militia commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Tehran's attacks on US bases took place in retaliation for the assassination of General Qasen Soleimani, leader of the elite Guard forces, in Baghdad on March 3. The Iranian government has not yet responded to new US sanctions.