Iranian sanctions: Rouhani rebels while US reimposes measures

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to "break" the heavy sanctions imposed by the United States again and targeting key sectors of the economy.

The Trump administration reinstates all the sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal in an effort to put pressure on Iran.

They will affect oil exports, shipping and banks, and make it difficult to trade with this oil-rich country.

But Rouhani was defiant, saying Iran would "continue to sell oil."

"We will proudly break the sanctions," he said at a meeting of economic officials.

European countries that are still parties to the agreement to curb Iran's nuclear activity said they would help companies circumvent sanctions. But there are doubts about its effectiveness.

How did we come here?

US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal earlier this year, an agreement he termed "the worst deal ever negotiated".

He offered Iran a lifting of sanctions in exchange for a reduction in its nuclear development. The IAEA, the world's nuclear watchdog, says that Iran has complied with the agreement.

President Trump says he wants to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.

Her administration also stated that she wanted to stop what she calls "malicious" Tehran activities, including cyber-attacks, ballistic missile testing and support for terrorist groups and militias in the country. Middle East.

The president said his "maximum pressure" strategy worked. "[Iran] wanted to take charge of the entire Middle East. For now, they just want to survive, "Reuters said at a rally in Tennessee.

What could be the impact?

The United States reinstated a string of sanctions in August, but analysts say the latest round is by far the most important.

More than 700 people, entities, ships and aircraft are now on the sanctions list, including major banks, oil exporters and transport companies.

In addition, the Brussels-based Swift network making international payments is expected to sever ties with targeted Iranian institutions, thus isolating Iran from the international financial system.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was aiming to reduce Iranian oil sales to zero.

The Trump administration, however, granted exemptions to eight countries to continue importing Iranian oil, without naming them.

They include allies from the United States, Italy, India, Japan and South Korea, as well as Turkey, China and India.

How do other countries see it?

The United Kingdom, Germany and France – which are among the five countries still committed to the nuclear pact – have all opposed the sanctions.

They promised to support European companies that "do legitimate business" with Iran and have put in place an alternative payment mechanism, called "Special Purpose Vehicle" (SPV) – which will help companies to trade without suffering criminal sanctions.

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Analysts doubt, however, that this significantly reduces the impact of sanctions on Iran.

Mr. Pompeo said that more than 100 major international companies had withdrawn from Iran because of impending sanctions.

China, another signatory to the nuclear deal, said it regretted the new imposition of sanctions and that its legal trade with Iran should be respected.

What was the reaction in Iran?

Thousands of Iranians chanting "Death to America" ​​rallied Sunday to reject calls for talks.

The sanctions imposed by the United States coincide with the headquarters of the US Embassy on November 4, 1979, which took place shortly after the fall of the US-backed shah.

Some 52 Americans were held hostage at the embassy for 444 days. Since then, both countries are enemies.

The hardliners hold demonstrations every year to commemorate the siege, but on Sunday the protesters also expressed their anger over the sanctions.

The Iranian media reported that millions of people had gone to towns and villages, swearing allegiance to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, although the BBC was not able to to check this figure independently.