Sunday, January 17, 2016

U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran After Prisoner Exchange


Less than 24 hours after lifting sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, the Obama administration announced Sunday that it was imposing new sanctions on Iran for violating United Nations resolutions against ballistic missile tests.


The announcement, which was prepared several weeks ago but delayed by the Treasury Department, was made shortly after a Swiss plane carrying Americans freed by the Iranian authorities departed Tehran. The release of the Americans came a day after Iran and the United States concluded delicate negotiations on a prisoner exchange tied indirectly to the completion of a nuclear agreement.

President Obama on Sunday hailed the agreements with Iran as the beginning of what he hopes will be a new era of constructive relations between two nations, which have been long estranged over ideology and regional ambitions.


“This is a good day,” Mr. Obama said in a televised statement from the White House.

“We have a rare chance to pursue a new path, a different, better future that delivers progress both for our peoples and the wider world,” said Mr. Obama, who has staked his political credibility on the opening with Iran. “That’s the opportunity before the Iranian people. We need to take advantage of that.”

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