US hits Iran's Atomic Energy Organization and its head with new sanctions

On Friday, strains heighten between the US and Iran as the US administration slammed new sanctions on the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its chief, Ali Akbar Salehi.

In its the declaration, the State Department told the sanctions are, "according to Executive Order 13382, which targets Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferators and their followers" and plan "to keep Iran from making an atomic weapon."

The State Department blamed the AEOI and Salehi for "having drawn in, or pose a threat of tangibly adding to, the multiplication of WMD by a foreign nation of expansion interest."

Referring to infringement by the agency, including surpassing the limit for its uranium reserve and enrichment level. The State Department maintained Salehi had inaugurated the establishment of new and advanced centrifuges as part of Iran's ongoing attempt to extend its uranium advancement limit."

Salehi, the declaration stated, had "led a function at which Iran began infusing uranium gas into cutting edge IR-6 centrifuges machines".

The US articulation stated that the regime poses a "genuine threat to global harmony and security" in spite of rehashed affirmations by senior US authorities that Washington isn't looking for government shift in Iran. 

"Now is the ideal opportunity for the international community to stand together against Iran's atomic coercion," it included.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo secured the AEOI penalties in a tweet, saying, "Iran's conduct is now hazardous - envision how much more regrettable it will be if they acquire an atomic weapon."

In a disobedient reaction on Twitter, the AEOI called the move "hasty" and "barbarous."

The agency told the sanctions "won't in any capacity intrude on the peaceful atomic exercises and policies."

However, even as the US tightened up pressure on Iran's atomic program, the State Department lifted sanctions on one unit of the Chinese tanker organization COSCO, which was recently endorsed in September for shipping Iranian oil.

The move was viewed as a significant aspect of trade dialogue among the Trump administration and China.

Strains keep on heightening amid Washington and Tehran. On Thursday, the Pentagon affirmed that at any rate, 64 US military service officers in Iraq had the experienced concussion from the Iranian rocket assault on January 8, which aimed at Ain Al Asad airbase.

The number of officers diagnosed with a concussion has increased to 21, and they have been sent to Germany for treatment, the Pentagon stated, the Arab News reported.

Article Credit: Arab News