Iranian Parliament Prepares Bill to Punish Collaborators with US Sanctions

“All countries which pursue the US in avoiding the sales or purchase of oil or any other goods to and from Iran or cooperate with the US in limiting their citizens or governments’ deals with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government and citizens are considered as US collaborators in imposition of sanctions against Iran and will be subject to the punishment envisaged in the bill,” a part of the bill released on Sunday said.

Based on the bill, imports of consuming goods from the US and its collaborators via the customs office or free trade zones are forbidden and they will be deprived of importing Iran’s oil and gas for 10 years from the time that they are put in the list of Washington’s collaborators.

Also, the Iranian government is required to update the list and make regular official declarations in this regard.

The US Treasury Department announced all sanctions on Iran lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal would be back in force on November 5.

According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the sweeping sanctions will see 700 people blacklisted, including people who were granted relief under the 2015 deal, as well as over 300 new names.

The Iranian officials have downplayed the effects of new sanctions on the country and its oil exports.

In relevant comments last Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined the US inability to put into practice its goal of stopping Iran’s crude exports, saying that the government was not afraid of Washington’s threats.

Addressing a cabinet meeting in Tehran, President Rouhani assured the Iranian nation of the government’s resolve to stand up to US threats, emphasizing that his team will do all in its power to resolve the economic problems caused by American pressure.

“November 4 this year translates into a new instance of oppression by America,” he said, referring to the date, when Washington is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran’s energy sector.

“Our people need to rest assured that the government is not afraid of US threats,” Rouhani said.

The president said that representatives of various countries, including Asian and European ones, had sent messages of assurance to the Islamic Republic “that they will stand by and continue their cooperation with Iran.” “We are certain that the Americans will fail in their new plot, and that they are actually in gradual retreat,” he said.

President Rouhani recalled that US officials first claimed that they would reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, but then retracted their statement, saying that the process could take two to three months.

“We tell them that ‘you will not reach any of your goals with regard to Iran’s oil sales. You will neither be able to bring it to zero nor reduce it to the amount you want,’” Rouhani stated.

By escalating psychological and economic pressure, the US has been seeking to anger the Iranian people, President Rouhani said, adding however that Iranians were and would be angry at Washington’s atrocities, rather than their own Islamic establishment, government, and country.

“Because they (the nation) love their country Iran,” the president said.

Rouhani said that Iran could easily overcome the setbacks, because it enjoys lasting relations with its trade partners, whereas the US pressure is only temporary.

“The US will raise hue and cry for a few days, but will have to eventually leave (the region), because they cannot make decisions for the people of the region,” Rouhani noted.