Iran sets up ‘commission’ to counter US sanctions

Parliamentarians in Iran have set up a commission to counter measures against the fresh sanctions imposed by the US on Tehran. Officials in the Islamic Republic are irritated by steps taken by the US, which they say violate the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action  (JCPOA).

Last week, the White House certified Iran’s compliance with the terms of the nuclear deal, nevertheless President Donald Trump’s administration wanted to impose fresh new sanctions on individuals, groups and entities which it claims are involved in activities including aiding Iran’s military guard, missile development, weapons procurement and software theft. In total, Trump was seeking to sanction 16 Iranian individuals, groups and networks.

An agreement, which is part of the Countering Iran’s Destabilising Activities Act, was reached in the US House and Senate last Saturday. The bill adopted imposed new sanctions against Iran as well as Russia and North Korea.

Iranian sources reported Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the head of the Planning and Budget Organisation, telling reporters: “A group is monitoring the violations of the nuclear deal by the other parties.”

In a separate report another member of Iran’s parliament, Soheila Jelodarzadeh, mentioned that the parliamentary commission will be set up to take the required measures against the fresh sanctions imposed by the US.