Nuclear conflict with Iran: sanctions with exceptions in force

The new US sanctions are the most severe to date against Iran – and they are aimed primarily at affecting the country's oil sector. The US government grants exceptions to eight states.

As announced, the United States has put in place tougher economic sanctions against Iran. Finance Minister Steven Mnuchin announced a comprehensive catalog of sanctions covering not only the oil sector, but also the Iranian aviation and maritime sector, as well as the banking sector.

The focus is therefore on oil production in Iran, which accounts for about one-third of state revenue. Also concerned are third country companies doing business with Iran. However, for eight countries, the petroleum import exemptions should apply temporarily. According to Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo, they travel to China, Italy, India, South Korea, Turkey, Greece, Japan and Taiwan. Companies in these states may continue to trade with Iran to a limited extent.

Mnuchin said the sanctions reinforced "unprecedented financial pressure" on the Iranian regime. The Islamic Republic will continue to face financial isolation and economic stagnation until the leaders of Tehran abandon their destabilizing behavior in the region. The government's goal in Washington is to force Iran to negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal canceled. It is not only stricter requirements, but also the inclusion of the Iranian missile program. In addition, the role of the Islamic Republic in the Middle East should be limited.

Iran wants to ignore US sanctions

Tehran has so far sent no signal to yield to pressure. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the sanctions had only made Iran more independent and more independent.

President Hbadan Rouhani announced on state television that he still wanted to continue exporting oil, violating US sanctions. "We will treat illegal and unjust sanctions with pride because they violate international rules," he said, accusing Washington of "economic war."

German companies also affected

The United States wants to apply its sanctions with all its might. Thus, the new sanctions provide for severe penalties for all companies that do not bow. The fact that these companies will no longer have access to the US financial system and therefore will not be able to process transactions in US dollars is particularly dissuasive. German companies are also concerned.

Most major international companies have already pulled out, such as the French automaker Peugeot and the Total group, as well as the German Siemens and Daimler. But even medium-sized businesses, like the traditional Württemberg Würth, have disappeared.

EU states work on a community of convenience

In order to maintain at least part of its economic relations with Iran, the EU countries are working on a specially designed vehicle for this purpose, called "special vehicle at destination" (SPV). This will pay Iranian companies if private banks refuse because of impending sanctions imposed by the United States.

However, it is unclear when the SPV can start working. The German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry again demanded speedy implementation. "Even companies not involved in the United States have difficulty transferring money to and from Iran," said Dagmar von Bohnstein. It was therefore urgent that the SPV be translated into reality.

With information from Karin Senz, ARD Studio Istanbul