- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Accused of Ignoring Its Obligations to Lift Iranian Sanctions

© AP Photo / Office of the Iranian Supreme LeaderIn this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers speech during a meeting with air force commanders and officers in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015
In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers speech during a meeting with air force commanders and officers in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
A key provision of the Iran nuclear deal allows for the United States to roll back economic and visa sanctions against the Islamic republic. According to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Washington isn’t holding up its end of the bargain.

The nuclear accord, agreed to by Iran and the P5+1 nations, stipulates that international sanctions against Tehran be lifted. By providing assurances that its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes only, the global community agreed to end the Islamic republic’s economic isolation.

The US Treasury - Sputnik International
MasterCard Gets US Treasury Notice for Violating Anti-Iran Sanctions

One country, however, appears to be dragging its feet.

"The Americans have not acted on their promises and (only) removed the sanctions on paper," Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a televised address on Sunday.

While many of the sanctions formally ended January 17 when the deal was implemented, US banks remain barred from conducting business in the country. Khamenei describes this reluctance as the "fear of Americans," and notes that it discourages European and Asian banks, as well.

"We have to try to put pressure on America to make this issue clear. Otherwise, removing the sanctions does not mean anything," said Ferial Mostofi, chairwoman of the KDD Group, an Iranian project management firm.

President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the State Council - Sputnik International
Putin Inks Decree on Russia's Fulfillment of UN Resolution on Iran Program

"If the banking situation stays as today, definitely we shall be facing problems for the payments."

George Booth, a partner at UK-based law firm Pinsent Masons, agrees that fear of financial penalties harms Tehran’s relations with international bankers.

"Until US sanctions are lifted, European banks with major operations in the States, of which there many, will still be exposed to onerous trade restrictions unless they can prove complete separation of European and US divisions of their business," he said.

"That’s easier said than done. It should not be underestimated, the level of internal restructuring required to satisfy this criteria."

A ballistic missile is launched and tested in an undisclosed location, Iran, March 9, 2016. - Sputnik International
Iran Declares Missile Tests Comply With Nuclear Deals, UN Resolutions

Washington’s failure to follow through on its promises is affecting the ability of Iranians to gain credit. It’s also hindering government efforts to sell oil on the international market, as well as recover some $100 billion in frozen assets from foreign bank accounts.

While some banks have gone ahead with Iranian transactions, these have mostly been smaller institutions, likely to be overlooked by the US government.

"Some small amounts have gone through, but the huge amounts will require the involvement of big foreign banks, which were active in Iran projects before the sanctions were imposed," said Seyed Arash Shahr Aeini, deputy chief of the Export Guarantee Fund of Iran.

"They are still reluctant to do business with Iran."

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала