Iran and America have collaborated and fought in the past, like most other nations in the world. The tension between the two countries escalated due to a disagreement the two nations had concerning the Iranian nuclear weapons program.
A little background
On Saturday, the US issued claims that Iranian naval ships were interfering with oil delivery US naval ships around the Strait of Hormuz. US naval commanders said that the Iranian forces continued heading straight towards the US ships despite calls for the Iranian ships to change course. The US naval commanders further stated that any miscalculation by either party could have resulted in a fatal crash.
The United States gave this perceived taunt as the reason for its sanctions on Chinese, North Korean and United Arab Emirates’ companies that are involved in the Iranian ballistic-missile program. After the US issued the sanctions, Iran promised to return the favor in kind.
Iran made good on its promise
Following Saturday’s events, the relationship between the US and Iran was precarious. There was little surprise when the Iranian Foreign Minister was quoted issuing bans on the US thus, but for the action have come so soon was unexpected.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran was broadcasted on Sunday on Iran’s state-owned channel IRNA saying that the Iranian government was imposing sanctions on fifteen companies from the United States. The reasons he gave for the sanctions was that the companies had ‘perpetrated human rights violations’ and perpetuated ‘repression and acts of terrorism’ in the region. Mr. Zarif also expressed Iran’s displeasure of the support that the United States was allegedly giving to Israel.
The fifteen companies that Iran sanctioned include defence contractor Raytheon, research pioneer Magnum Research Incorporated, and specialized automotive experts Oshkosh Corporation. Kahr Arms Limited, ITT Corporation, United Technologies, and Bent Al Inc. were also included in the ban.
One of the conditions of the sanction is that the companies mentioned in the ban are to do no business with Iranian firms. A writer for The Independent posited that this condition of the Iranian ban on these companies might be ineffective because most of the companies included in the prohibition do not trade with Iran in the first place.
Another term laid down by the ban issued is that Iran reserved the right to seize any assets from the fifteen US firms should the no-contact condition not be met by a company. There would be consequences for executives who work for the sanctioned US businesses as well. As per the terms of the sanction, any person who had been or is a director in any of the fifteen companies is no longer eligible for a Visa to Iran.
While the sanctions Iran imposed on America may not be felt by ordinary Americans, they do impact on the welfare of the two nations. The ban may mark the end of diplomatic relations between the US and Iran as well as hamper any peace-making missions if they are not lifted.
