U.S. puts punishing sanctions on Iran's foreign minister as Trump's Treasury Department seizes assets and tries to limit his international travel
- Javad Zarif is Iran's top-ranking diplomat and the Ayatollah's main spokesman around the world
- Trump administration is putting new sanctions on him
- U.S. views Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism
- Sanctions mean Zarif loses access to any assets in the U.S. and the Trump administration will use its leverage to box him in so he can't travel
- He responded in a tweet that it will not affect him because he has no assets outside Iran
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iran's foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif, effectively slamming the door on the country's top diplomat.
The sanctions freeze any of Zarif's assets in the United States or controlled by U.S. entities, the government announced, saying it also will seek to curtail the diplomat's international travel.
'Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran's Supreme Leader, and is the regime's primary spokesperson around the world. The United States is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behavior is completely unacceptable,' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.
the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, effectively slamming the door on the country's top diplomat
President Donald Trump has repeatedly ratcheted up pressure on Iran, which he has accused of steering billions of dollars into Middle East terrorism while pursuing nuclear weapons
Zarif has been at the heart of Iran's attempt to defuse tensions with the United States and other countries over its controversial nuclear power industry, which Washington says is cover for a secret weapons program.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a constant U.S. foe
But a senior official in President Donald Trump's administration said that Zarif's diplomatic image was false.
'The key issue is that he has had this veneer... of being the sincere and reasonable interlocutor for the regime. Our point today is that he is no such thing,' the official said on condition of anonymity.
The official accused Zarif of functioning as 'propaganda minister, not foreign minister.'
A bragadocious Zarif responded to the U.S. on Twitter.
'The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's "primary spokesperson around the world" Is the truth really that painful?' he asked.
'It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran. Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.'
In addition to attempting to freeze assets, Washington will also squeeze his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat. But he is expected to be able to continue to visit the United Nations in New York, albeit under tight restrictions.
'The United States will continue to uphold our obligations,' the administration official said.
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