"Today, I expanded the scope of Iran metals sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear, military, and ballistic missile programs. Knowingly transferring any of these 22 metals to Iran is now sanctionable. Our pressure will continue until Iran behaves like a normal nation."
-Secretary Pompeo, Tweet, July 30, 2020
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY POMPEO ON THE EXPANSION OF THE SCOPE OF IRAN METALS SANCTIONS TARGETING IRAN'S NUCLEAR, MILITARY, AND BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAMS AND THE IRGC, JULY 30.
Iran's nuclear, ballistic missile, and military programs pose a grave threat to international peace and security. To address these threats, I am announcing a major expansion of the scope of State Department-administered Iran metals-related sanctions. Today, the State Department is identifying 22 specific materials used in connection with Iran's nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs. Those who knowingly transfer such materials to Iran are now sanctionable pursuant to Section 1245 of the Iranian Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act.
Under the same provision of law, I am continuing my determination that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls Iran's construction sector. The IRGC's construction firm and many of its subsidiaries remain sanctioned by the United Nations because they were directly involved in the construction of the uranium enrichment site at Fordow. As a result of this IRGC determination, any knowing transfer of certain materials, including graphite or raw or semi-finished metals, to or from Iran to be used in connection with the construction sector of Iran remains sanctionable.
The 22 materials I have determined are used in connection with Iran's nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs are here.
SECRETARY POMPEO'S REMARKS BEFORE THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, JULY 30.
· First, securing the American people's freedoms against authoritarian threats; securing American lives during the pandemic; and helping friends across the world secure those very unalienable rights. On authoritarian threats, we have evaluated the world with the same realism that the American founders did.
· We see the Islamic Republic of Iran for what it is: an aggressor, not a victim.
· We've gone full bore on our maximum pressure campaign.
· Since May of 2018, we've slashed the vital oil revenues the regime uses for terrorism and illegal nuclear activities by 90 percent. We've rallied nations to our side through diplomacy - witness the designations of Hizballah from European and South American countries. And we've bolstered our military readiness vis-a-vis Tehran.
· There's more work to do. The Security Council must renew the UN arms embargo against Iran before it expires on October 18th. Iran already mines ships in the Strait of Hormuz, launches missiles at Saudi oil facilities, and ships arms to the Houthis.
· Should the Security Council fail to act, Iran will have a freer hand to sow destruction across the Middle East, and indeed the world.
· For the entirety of remarks, please see here.
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR IRAN AND SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY BRIAN HOOK TRAVELED TO TUNISIA, QATAR, AND KUWAIT TO DISCUSS EXTENDING THE UN ARMS EMBARGO ON IRAN, JULY 27.
· On July 24-26, Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary Brian Hook traveled to Tunisia, Qatar, and Kuwait to discuss extending the UN arms embargo on Iran, which is scheduled to expire on October 18, 2020. In Tunisia, Special Representative Hook met with Foreign Minister Noureddine Erray. He discussed the range of threats Iran poses to international peace and security and requested Tunisia's support as a non-permanent member of the Security Council to extend the arms embargo. In Qatar and Kuwait, Special Representative Hook discussed the need to extend the arms embargo to preclude a regional arms race and halt Iran's destabilizing activities in the region. He also emphasized the benefits of regional cooperation and reiterated the need for members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to take steps to rebuild trust and restore unity. In Doha, he met with Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani. In Kuwait City, he met with His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad Al Sabah.
· Special Representative Hook traveled to Estonia and the United Kingdom on July 28-29 for consultations with our European allies.
NOTABLE TWEETS
@SecPompeo July 30
The Iranian regime is fixated on a hateful, bankrupt ideology. While the leaders of normal nations promote the prosperity of their people, the current regime promotes division and anti-Semitism. Iranians deserve better.
@StateDeputySPOX July 30
@SecPompeo announced that knowingly transferring graphite or raw or semi-finished metal to Iran's IRGC-controlled construction sector is sanctionable. We haven't forgotten that the IRGC's construction firm built the uranium enrichment site at Fordow.
