President Donald Trump announced new sanctions on Iran on June 24 targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Khamenei’s office.
According to a White House statement, the sanctions will also single out anyone Khamenei appointed to the Iranian as well as anyone who does business with Khamenei or his office.
“We call on the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions, change its destructive behavior, respect the rights of its people, and return in good faith to the negotiating table,” Trump said in a statement.
Trump told reporters on June 24 that the sanctions were in response to “a series of aggressive behaviors by the Iranian regime in recent weeks, including shooting down of U.S. drones. The supreme leader of Iran is one who ultimately is responsible of the hostile conduct of the regime. He’s respected within his country. His office oversees the regime’s most brutal instruments including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that later in the week the Trump administration will impose sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.
Additionally, the Treasure Department announced eight Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders would be sanctioned:
BREAKING: US Treasury Sanctions 8 #Iran IRGC Commanders after Trump order targeting Supreme Leader Khamenei + circle. Statement: pic.twitter.com/MOLZSoJT82
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) June 24, 2019
Zarif responded to the new round of sanctions in a tweet accusing the Trump administration of having a “thirst for war.”
Foundation for Defense of Democracies Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz praised Trump for “targeting the massive corruption of [Khamenei].”
Good to see administration today targeting the massive corruption of the supreme leader. Iranians know that he and his minions are kleptocrats who have stolen billions from the Iranian people. Time for the rest of the world to learn that. Now, time to get specific.
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) June 24, 2019
“@FDD has identified over 300 companies, directors and executives identified with these holdings”…many who have done business with international companies. https://t.co/OIcDorU7Iw https://t.co/NP151A2tjC
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) June 24, 2019
If administration does sanction Zarif, they should make it clear that he’s responsible & accountable for decisions made by regime to conduct malign & destructive activities. No more mendaciously denying responsibility. He is part of regime in Iran & core regime decision-making.
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) June 24, 2019
On June 21, Trump announced that he had called off a strike against Iran retaliating for the downed drone, saying that he didn’t like the fact that 150 people would have been killed.
