United States imposes new Iran sanctions for ballistic missile testing

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated the nation following the implementation of a landmark nuclear accord and subsequent lifting of sanctions against Tehran. If so, this partially explains the administration’s reluctance to sanction Iran for its missile tests.

US President Barack Obama on Sunday praised “diplomacy” in resolving a decade-long dispute regarding Iran’s nuclear program that Western countries claimed was being used to create a nuclear weapon.

President Barack Obama is crediting his “smart” diplomacy for recent breakthroughs in the USA relationship with Iran. Israel’s policy was and remains as it was: “not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons”.

He said the deal was a ‘very unsafe precedent’.

His remarks were an implicit rebuke to Republicans, who have criticized the president for his engagement with a country that has always been an enemy of the United States.

We are incredibly grateful for today’s news. “We will not rest until their family is whole again”.

Obama said Iran has a vibrant culture that has so much to contribute to the world in commerce, science and the arts, but “your government’s threats and actions to destabilize your region have isolated Iran from much of the world”. “Congrats on this glorious victory!”

Iran had announced their release on Saturday, just hours before Tehran’s historic nuclear deal with world powers was implemented, in exchange for Washington pardoning seven Iranians accused of sanctions-busting or violating trade embargoes. The men have said they were selling parts for surge protectors that shield computers from thunderstorms, according to The Washington Post.

“I’m happy they’re coming back, but I will tell you it’s a disgrace they’ve been there so long”.

Rouhani, who has promised that 2016 will be a “year of prosperity” for Iranians, was to give a press conference later Sunday. The US did not free prisoners, it released convicted felons.

The Americans released by Iran have arrived in Germany, according to a U.S. State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss their status.

Levinson was not among five Americans released by Iran Sunday as part of a swap deal that was announced alongside the implementation of the nuclear deal.

“This is a good day”, Obama said in a statement from the White House. “These prisoners were held unjustly by a regime that continues to threaten the peace and security of the Middle East. Another American, Bob Levinson, still isn’t home with his family”.

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

During almost a dozen meetings to discuss a possible prisoner swap, Kerry said he urged their release on humanitarian grounds although he anxious that the prisoner release could be complicated by Iranian politics.

The proposed budget predicts an exchange rate of $1 US dollar to 29,970 Iranian rials.

Obama still signaled an optimistic outlook for Iran’s future, calling on “young Iranians” to take advantage of the changing dynamic between the US and Iranian governments. “Even as we rejoice in the safe return for others we will never forget about Bob”.