Iran to Check If US Missile Program Sanctions Contradict Nuclear Deal

Iran successfully transferred some of the billions of dollars’ worth of frozen overseas assets following the implementation of the nuclear deal with world powers, the head of the country’s central bank said Tuesday.

The U.S. Treasury Department unleashed sanctions against 11 people and companies involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program Sunday, just one day after President Obama lifted sanctions based on Iran’s nuclear program. He did not elaborate.

The efforts were beset by several hitches, including the detention of 10 US sailors by Iran last week in the Persian Gulf and USA plans in late December to impose new sanctions on Iran for ballistic missile testing.

According to state-controlled Fars News Agency, Ansari did not name the 7 additional Iranians who he said were part of the exchange deal. Those sanctions were in place to stop Iran’s march to a nuclear weapon.

He also said that Iran-Venezuela ties should be further developed in all fields in the post-sanctions era.

The United States also agreed to drop charges against 14 other Iranians whose extradition to the United States seemed unlikely, a USA official said.

In exchange for the American prisoners’ freedom, the United States pardoned or commuted the sentences of an Iranian and six dual citizens of the United States and Iran in what Obama called a “one-time gesture”.

Who did Iran get in return?

“The Islamic Republic will respond to these aggravating and propagandistic measures by pursuing its legal missile program stronger than before and developing its defensive capabilities”, a foreign ministry statement said.

Iran’s missiles are not designed in any way to carry nuclear warheads and therefore the country’s missile program does not contravene any global regulations, the statement went on to say. “The Iranian government should begin taking steps immediately to improve its press freedom record by releasing all journalists imprisoned in relation to their work”. United Nations weapons inspectors will now be on the ground watching whether Iran cheats.

“We hope the Saudi authorities can learn lessons from what has happened and take actions that benefit both its own and regional interests”, said Rouhani.

It’s welcome to see those Americans released.