On a trip to Israel, US national security adviser John Bolton has warned Iran and said the US military was rebuilt and "ready to go." Increased US sanctions on Iran are expected on Monday.
Image: Getty Images/C. Somodevilla
Advertisement
US national security adviser John Bolton warned Tehran on Sunday it should not "mistake US prudence and discretion for weakness."
"No one has granted them a hunting license in the Middle East," Bolton said of Iran ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Our military is rebuilt, new and ready to go."
The United States launched an offensive cyber strike against Iranian missile control systems and a spy network on Thursday, amid escalating tensions between the two countries, US media said Saturday.
US sanctions against Iran are back in effect
The first phase of US sanctions against Iran went back into effect in early August. Here's a breakdown of what the sanctions are targeting and how Iran has reacted to the measures.
Image: Reuters/TIMA/N. T. Yazdi
Sanctions signed off
US President Trump signed an executive order on August 5 aimed at piling financial pressure on Tehran to force a "comprehensive and lasting solution" to Iranian threats, including its development of missiles and regional "malign" activities. Trump warned that those who don't wind down their economic ties to Iran "risk severe consequences."
Image: Shealah Craighead
Where's the money?
The first phase, which took effect on August 7, targets the Islamic Republic's access to US banknotes, making transactions in a US-dollar dominated financial world difficult. A ban on Iran purchasing precious metals including gold further serves as an attempt to cut the country off from global markets.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Kenare
Planes, cars and carpets
Phase one also hits key industries including the purchase of commercial planes, cars and carpets. Iranian imports of graphite, aluminum, steel, coal, gold and some software are also affected. German automaker Daimler called off the production and sale of Mercedes-Benz trucks in Iran indefinitely after the sanctions came into force.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo
Fuel to the fire
A second phase of sanctions — which is due to take effect on November 5 and will block Iran's oil sales — is due to cause more damage. Several countries, however, including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases.
Image: Reuters/R. Homavandi
'Psychological warfare'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the United States had launched "psychological warfare" against Iran to create division amongst its people. But he insisted that Iran still can rely on its allies China and Russia to keep its oil and banking sectors afloat. He has also demanded compensation for decades of American "intervention" in the Islamic Republic.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc is encouraging small and medium enterprises to increase their business with Iran. She said Tehran has been compliant with their nuclear-related commitments. The EU issued a "blocking statute" to protect European businesses from the impact of the sanctions.
Bolton said sanctions against Iran were having an effect. "Sanctions are biting, and more added last night. Iran can never have nuclear weapons, not against the USA and not against the world," he said.
The US is expected to enact new sanctions against Iran on Monday.
Bolton is due to meet with security advisers from Israel and Russia in Jerusalem on Monday and Tuesday when he takes part in a security summit.
