BBC News | MIDDLE EAST | Iran anger at continued sanctions

BBC News Online: World: Middle East

Tuesday, 14 March, 2000, 10:36 GMT

Iran anger at continued sanctions

Iran's state radio has hit out at United States President Bill Clinton's decision on Monday to maintain a five-year-old sanction regime against Tehran.

The radio station said: "It proves once again the hostility of American leaders to Iran."

And it accused Washington of "trying to create crises and instability ... at a time when foreign mercenary terrorists are seeking to destabilise Iran." President Khatami

On Monday, an Iraqi based opposition group, the People's Mujahideen, said it carried out a mortar attack near several military barracks in north Tehran, which wounded at least four people.

The renewal of sanctions imposed five years ago would have no impact on the Iranian people's resolve to pursue the revolutionary path, the radio commentator said.

Sanctions

The restrictions introduced in 1995 bar US companies from investing in Iran's oil and natural gas industry, and aim to halt all US exports to Iran.

The US president has to decide each year whether to extend them.

The actions and policies of the government of Iran continue to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States
President Clinton

In a statement to the US Congress on Monday, President Clinton said the sanctions were being renewed because of Tehran's continued "support for international terrorism" and its "acquisition of weapons of mass destruction".

The decision comes less than a month after reformist candidates in Iran won an overwhelming victory over their conservative opponents in parliamentary elections.

A broader ban on all non-oil imports from Iran had been enforced after the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979.

In 1996, Congress approved additional legislation penalising any companies that invested more than $40m in the Libyan or Iranian oil sectors.

American legislation also threatens sanctions against international companies investing in countries like Iran, which are perceived by the White House as supporters of terrorism.

Winds of change

But since last month's resounding victory by reformers backing President Mohammad Khatami, there has been speculation that some of the sanctions might be relaxed. pistachio's

Washington has not ruled out the possibility of lifting sanctions on other important Iranian exports, such as caviar, pistachio nuts and carpets.

Government officials privately admit that the White House wants to make a gesture of goodwill towards Iran's reformist president, Mohammad Khatami.

Sources in Washington say that, while some members of the Clinton administration are opposed to such a relaxation, most feel the US could afford to make such a gesture.

They suggest it is now more a question of when rather than whether those sanctions will be lifted.

Related to this story:
US maintains Iran oil ban (14 Mar 00 | Middle East)
US-Iranian ties: Chronology (04 Nov 99 | Middle East)
Analysis: All eyes on Iran (18 Feb 00 | Middle East)
Mortar attack on Tehran (13 Mar 00 | Middle East)
Khatami: Shooting will 'unite people' (12 Mar 00 | Middle East)
Shell secures Iranian oil deal (14 Nov 99 | The Economy)
Iran deal defies US sanctions (05 Apr 99 | Middle East)
Iran courts US oil firms (08 Mar 99 | Middle East)

Internet links: Islamic Republic News Agency |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites