Susannah George and Zeke Miller, The Associated Press 

 



WASHINGTON -- The first set of U.S. sanctions against Iran that had been eased under the landmark nuclear accord went back into effect early Tuesday under an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, targeting financial transactions that involve U.S. dollars, Iran's automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold. International inspectors say Iran has been complying with the deal to curtail its nuclear program.The U.S. is preparing to reimpose the remainder of U.S. sanctions lifted as part of the agreement, and target Iran's oil sector and central bank in early November.America has also pressured allies to stop importing oil from Iran before the November deadline. Supporters of the Iran agreement have long argued that the U.S. departure would alienate European allies who partnered with the U.S. in the negotiations. “Germany is making a huge mistake by injecting much-needed cash into the mullahs’ resistance economy as they murder Iranian protesters.”

In a joint statement on Monday, Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, and the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said: “We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran.”

The EU implemented a “blocking statute” to insulate EU companies active in the Islamic Republic from American sanctions. Yet while Trump’s European allies condemned his move because they regard the nuclear deal as crucial for international security, the challenge for businesses is that they now have to weigh the potential loss of American clients against economic ties with Tehran that are minuscule by comparison. The impact of the return of sanctions has ramped up tensions inside Iran, which has seen days of protests and strikes in multiple towns and cities over water shortages, high prices and wider anger at the political system. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said sanctions are an important pillar in U.S. policy toward Iran and will remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course.
The United States reimposes sanctions on Iran after the US pulled out of the international agreement three months prior.