Abrams: Trump administration plans to tighten sanctions against Iran

(Patria) – The administration of US President Trump plans to tighten sanctions against Iran in the final months in power, said the top US envoy to Iran who is pressuring the newly elected Biden to take steps that will reduce the nuclear threat coming from that country.

US Special Envoy for Iran, Elliott Abrams, warned against repeating what he considers to be the Obama administration's mistake during the negotiations that preceded the signing of the so-called nuclear deal in 2015.

Let us recall that, at the initiative of President Trump, the US withdrew from the nuclear deal two years ago.

Biden, who takes office on January 20, has announced that the US will be a signatory to the nuclear deal again if Iran respects its provisions.

Abrams stated at a virtual event of the Beirut Institute that the Trump administration plans to exert additional pressure on Iran through sanctions related to weapons of mass destruction and human rights.

US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea stated that the US could impose sanctions on Lebanese politicians for corruption and support for the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, after Washington blacklisted three former Lebanese government ministers, including the president's son-in-law, in recent months.

At the same time, Abrams says he expects negotiations with Iran to continue next year and believes the Biden administration will reach an agreement.

– I believe the Biden administration has a great opportunity due to the possibility of pressuring Iran through sanctions, explains Abrams, who sees an opportunity in cooperation with France, Germany, and Great Britain, as well as other allies in the region, to reach an agreement that will focus on the missile problem, as well as the regional threat coming from Iran.

He believes that change cannot happen overnight and that negotiations could take several months.

Reuters writes that Iranian religious leaders do not agree to negotiations regarding the missile program or changes to their regional policy. Instead, they demand a change in US policy and the lifting of sanctions.

Abrams announced sanctions related to Iran on Wednesday against four entities in China and Russia, which he accuses of activities promoting Iran's missile program.