NOVANEWS
A man carries a giant flag made of flags of Iran, Palestine, Syria and Hezbollah, while marking the Islamic Revolution anniversary, Tehran, Feb. 11, 2016. | Photo: Reuters.
A senior Iranian lawmaker said Iran would consider a bill branding the U.S. military and the CIA as terrorist groups.
As provocative aggression against Iran amps up under U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran has responded by announcing sanctions against 15 U.S. firms, citing ties to apartheid Israel and other rampant human rights abuses in the region.
According to the state-run news agency IRNA, Iran’s foreign ministry said the companies had “flagrantly violated human rights” and cooperated with Israel in its “terrorism” against Palestinians.
The sanctions bar the companies from making any agreements with Iranian firms, a seizure of their assets, as well as banning visas for its former and current directors.
The Iranian move came two days after the United States imposed sanctions on 11 companies or individuals from China, North Korea or the United Arab Emirates for technology transfers that could boost Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
Dozens of Iranian entities have also been subjected to U.S. sanctions following an Iranian missile test in February. In addition, a bill announced Thursday by U.S. senators is set to place more restrictive sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile launches and other non-nuclear activities.
The companies on Iran’s sanctions list include Bent Tal, United Technologies Products, ITT Corporation, Raytheon, Re/Max Real Estate, Magnum Research Inc., Oshkosh Corporation, Kahr Arms and Elbit Systems.
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A senior Iranian lawmaker also said Iran would consider a bill branding the U.S. military and the CIA as terrorist groups if the U.S. Congress designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
Back in January, when Trump announced his first travel ban on Iran and six other Muslim-majority countries, Iran responded by announcing a retaliatory ban on U.S. citizens.
“While respecting the American people and distinguishing between them and the hostile policies of the U.S. government, Iran will implement the principle of reciprocity until the offensive U.S. limitations against Iranian nationals are lifted,” a Foreign Ministry statement said at the time.
