The Trump Administration accuses the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines of support for Iran’s ballistic missiles program.
Seeking further pressure on Iran’s crippled economy, the US has tightened sanctions on shipping.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its Shanghai-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping Company, “have come into effect” 180 days after they were announced.
The Administration is basing the sanctions on the claim that the shipping lines support Iranian ballistic missile programs and the “choice for Iranian proliferators and procurement agents”.
Pompeo said that the Administration had allowed six months for companies to make arrangements over transport and delivery of food and medicine, allowed under comprehensive US sanctions imposed in November 2018.
Now that this generous delay has come to an end, those in the commercial and maritime industries doing business with Iran must use carriers or shipping methods other than IRISL or E-Sail. Any government, entity, or individual that chooses to continue doing business with IRISL and/or E-Sail now risks exposure to US WMD sanctions.
The Secretary of State warned non-US firms and governments that the Administration would sanction them over any continued business with the Iranian shippers.
Pompeo threatened sanctions against trade and maritime industries as well as governments: “These designations serve as a clear warning that anyone doing business with or otherwise supporting IRISL or E-Sail is exposed to potential sanctions.”
Tehran’s officials immediately responded that the Trump Administration was further punishing Iranians with cutoffs of food and medicine.
Iran’s economy is facing serious problems with production, investment, trade, employment, and a historically-low currency. Inflation is about 40%, and particularly high for food and basic goods.
On Sunday, the Economy Minister said GDP has contracted 15% because of the Coronavirus pandemic which has officially claimed more than 8,000 Iranian lives.
The International Monetary Fund is projecting another 11% fall in Iran’s GDP this year, after a drop of 7.6% in 2019.
See Iran Daily, June 8: 15% GDP Drop Because of Coronavirus — Economy Minister
Special Report: “How Amnesty International and the Reuters news agency lied about the Iran fuel protests of 2019:” https://docs.zoho.eu/file/4b1e13219a82180b741379a3f038f9b5821c1
A made charge, made up character, made up story to warn any insider who might get tempted by the US rewards.
https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-to-execute-collaborator-for-us-targeting-of-soleimani/30660904.html
Well, that bullshit did not take very long to flip…
Iran’s Judiciary Refutes Own Spokesman On Spy’s Role In Soleimani Killing
https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-judiciary-refutes-own-spokesman-on-spy-s-role-in-soleimani-killing/30661400.html