New sanctions on iran

The United States has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iran since 2018, when the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Here are some key developments:

2018:

• May 8, 2018: The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA, citing concerns over Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for terrorist organizations.
• August 6, 2018: The US reimposed sanctions on Iran's energy, financial, and shipping sectors, which had been lifted under the JCPOA.

2019:

• April 22, 2019: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's metals sector, including aluminum, copper, and steel.
• May 24, 2019: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's petrochemical sector.
• June 24, 2019: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's shipping and port operators.

2020:

• January 10, 2020: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top officials.
• January 16, 2020: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's central bank and other financial institutions.
• May 20, 2020: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's construction and mining sectors.

2021:

• January 19, 2021: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's iron, steel, and aluminum industries.
• June 21, 2021: The US imposed sanctions on Iran's automotive sector.

Recent developments:

• In May 2022, the US, UK, and Canada imposed new sanctions on Iran in response to the country's human rights abuses and its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• In June 2022, the US imposed sanctions on Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and its director, Esmail Khatib, for alleged human rights abuses and support for terrorism.

Impact of sanctions:

• The sanctions have had a significant impact on Iran's economy, leading to:
  • High inflation rates
  • Currency devaluation
  • Reduced oil exports
  • Increased unemployment
  • Reduced access to international financial markets
• The sanctions have also led to increased tensions between Iran and the US, as well as between Iran and other countries that have imposed sanctions on Iran.

International response:

• Many countries, including European Union member states, have criticized the US sanctions on Iran, arguing that they are having a disproportionate impact on ordinary Iranians and are not an effective way to address Iran's nuclear program or other concerns.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also expressed concerns about the impact of the sanctions on Iran's ability to maintain its nuclear program.

Overall, the US sanctions on Iran have been a major point of contention in international relations, with many countries and organizations criticizing the sanctions as ineffective and harmful to ordinary Iranians.