Trump Administration Expands Iran Sanctions

The Treasury Department announced sanctions Friday on 13 individuals and 12 entities from Iran in what were called initial steps, following through on the Trump administration's vague warnings to the country earlier this week.

After Iran conducted a failed missile launch test last Sunday, the White House said that it was putting the country "on notice." Rumors circulated Thursday night that sanctions would be forthcoming.

Any property owned by these individuals and entities named by Treasury in U.S. jurisdictions is effectively frozen, and Americans are barred from conducting business or providing support to those sanctioned.

A senior administration official noted on a call for the press that, as National Security Advisor Michael Flynn said in comments Wednesday, the missile launch violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The resolution says Iran must "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology."

Officials believe the missile in question was capable of delivering a nuclear device. Iran has denied that it violated any directive.

However, these sanctions do not relate to or alter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more widely known as the Iran deal, which the Obama administration spearheaded to limit the country's nuclear ambitions. President Trump has harshly criticized the deal.

According to Reuters, the Foreign Ministry was quoted on Iran state TV as saying the new sanctions were illegal, and that it would counter with restrictions on Americans who help regional terrorist groups.

In addition to the nuclear test, the officials cited Iran's support for terrorism as a reason for continued and expanding sanctions.

They also mentioned Iran's continued support of the Houthis, a group involved in the Yemeni civil war, as a threat to American friends and allies in the region.

Officials do not believe Iran will be surprised by the administration's actions.

Read the list of individuals named here>>

Photo credit: PROBlondinrikard Fröberg