Iran News Round Up

Marie Donovan breaks down why a new strategy for dealing with Iran’s destabilizing behavior is necessary, in “America needs a new strategy to deter Iran’s destabilizing behavior.”

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the IRGC for its support to the IRGC Quds Force pursuant to Executive Order 13244 on October 13. The designation is distinct from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation. OFAC also designated three Iran-based companies for their activities in relation to Iran’s Naval Defense Missile Industry Group and/or the IRGC, and one China-based company for proliferation activities related to an Iran-based company supporting Iran’s Defense Ministry. (Treasury.gov) (E)

UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement conveying their commitment to the JCPOA following President Trump’s announcement that he will not certify that the deal is in the national security interests of the U.S. The European leaders cautioned President Donald Trump and U.S. lawmakers to carefully consider the implications of taking actions that could undermine the JCPOA, such as “re-imposing sanctions [that were] lifted under the [JCPOA].” They also expressed their concern about Iran’s ballistic missile program and disruptive regional activities, stating that they “stand ready to take further appropriate measures to address these issues.” European leaders have voiced their continuous support for the JCPOA. Several European countries have signed a myriad of financial deals with Iran since the implementation of the JCPOA in January 2016. The imposition of new sanctions or the reintroduction of previously lifted sanctions could imperil existing and future deals reached between Europe and Iran. (GOV.uk)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Yukiya Amano released a statement following President Donald Trump’s decertification announcement on October 13. Trump noted that Iran has “committed multiple violations of the agreement,” and has “intimidated international inspectors into not using the full inspection authorities [outlined under the JCPOA].” Amano responded that Iran is implementing its commitments under the JCPOA and that “Iran is subject to the world’s most robust nuclear verification regime.” Amano also indicated that the IAEA has had access to all locations that “it [has] needed to visit.” Amano has confirmed Iranian compliance to its JCPOA commitments on several occasions, however he has also requested for additional clarification on certain aspects of the JCPOA. (IAEA) (E)

In a statement on October 12 prior to the U.S. Treasury’s designation of the IRGC under Executive Order 13224, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran would consider the U.S. designation of the IRGC “a declaration of war.” He added that Iran is willing to preserve the JCPOA, but “not at any price.” He also expressed doubts that the P5+1 could preserve the JCPOA if the U.S. withdraws. (Mashregh News) (Radio Farda) (E) (Tasnim News Agency) (E)

• Defense Minister Artesh Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami also called for unity among the IRGC, the Artesh, and the rest of Iran’s armed forces prior to the Treasury designation. Hatami warned that any action taken to undermine the IRGC will only aid in the “spread of terror and insecurity in the region and the world.” (Sepah News) (ABNA)

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV warned that Iran had attempted to circumvent missile development restrictions by attempting to purchase proliferation-related equipment or know-how in a report shown to Reuters on October 11. The document noted that Iran continues to develop its missile and rocket programs and may further attempt to circumvent regulations by trying to acquire technologies in Germany. Another domestic intelligence report released by Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state on October 10 claimed that Iran made 32 attempts to buy equipment in 2016. (Reuters) (E)

Expediency Discernment Council (EDC) Secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that Asia and Europe will present “big problems” for President Donald Trump if he tries to implement new sanctions against Iran in an October 10 statement ahead of the White House’s presentation of its new Iran strategy. Rezai also stated that the global economy is not on the same page as Trump when it comes to levying new sanctions on Iran. Rezaei asserted that any new sanctions would be primarily against “businessmen and investors [who seek to work with Iran].” (Fars News Agency)