US extends Obama-era sanctions relief for Iran

The Trump administration will continue nuclear sanctions relief for Iran, keeping in place the Obama-era nuclear deal.

But the U.S. will also impose new economic penalties related to the country’s missile work. Those sanctions will target military officials, according to the Treasury Department, as well as a China-based network accused of supplying ballistic missile material to Iran. 

{mosads}Stuart Jones, the acting assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs, told The Associated Press the U.S. is still forming a “comprehensive Iran policy” but will continue implementing the Iran nuclear deal in the meantime.

That represents a departure from President Trump’s comments on the campaign trail against the nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama, who also renewed a series of waivers to U.S. sanctions on Iran shortly before leaving office in January.

According to Reuters, some of the waivers were set to expire this week unless they were extended by the commander in chief.

The U.S. move comes several days before Iran’s presidential election, with President Hassan Rouhani facing a challenge from several conservative opponents. It also comes ahead of a five-country trip for Trump, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel.  

The National Iranian American Council welcomed the president’s decision, but voiced concern about the administration’s commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement with Iran.

“We welcome President Trump’s decision to adhere to the obligations of the U.S. under the JCPOA and waive nuclear-related sanctions with Iran, but we remain concerned about the Trump administration’s commitment to the nuclear deal,” said the president of the organization, Trita Parsi.

“In renewing waivers of U.S. sanctions, the Trump administration has once again grudgingly acknowledged that Iran continues to abide by its obligations under the agreement. Yet, the administration continues to stand in the way of what is legitimate trade with Iran, which the agreement obligates the United States not to do,” Parsi added.

Sean Kane at Hughes Hubbard & Reed, the former Deputy Assistant Director for Policy in the Office of Foreign Assets Control, told The Hill that the administration is likely attempting to “maintain the status quo” by deciding to renew the waivers.

Kane said the timing of the decision had more to do with when the waivers would expire than with the upcoming Iranian election.

“The timing … is simply a consequence of when the waivers have to be renewed, and that’s dictated by the legislation,” Kane said.

“I would look more to what the administration does with the non-nuclear sanctions … for a signal as to its policy direction,” he added.

This story was updated at 3:49 p.m.