According to a report [release] issued by IRNA [state news agency], Iran has imposed sanctions on 15 US companies for human rights violations and supporting Israeli “terrorism” against Palestinians. The sanctions were issued in response to what the Iran government called “one-sided extraterritorial sanctions” issued by the US on Friday against China, North Korea, or the United Arab Emirates for providing Iran with technology which could help the country’s ballistic missile program. The 15 companies sanctioned by the Iran government, including the United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and Oshkosh Corporation [corporate websites], were said to have a direct or indirect part in supporting the Israeli government’s actions in occupied Palestinian territories in opposition to UNSC Resolution 2334 [text]. Additionally, under a bill announced on Thursday, Iran could face even tighter US sanctions [Reuters report] over ballistic missile launches and other non-nuclear activities.
The situation surrounding Iran’s development and testing of nuclear technology has been a matter of national concern and has elicited multiple sanctions over the years. A bill renewing US sanctions against Iran for another 10 years became law [JURIST report] last December. In response to renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has accused the US of breaching the nuclear agreement and has ordered the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation to plan the development of nuclear-powered ships. The US House had approved the extension of sanctions [JURIST report] last November. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [official website] reported as recently as last September that Iran had successfully maintained a stockpile of “heavy water” below the threshold. In July 2015 the US entered into the JCPOA nuclear agreement with Iran where the county agreed not to create a nuclear bomb in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The agreement was reached [JURIST report] after 20 months of negotiations. Iran has repeatedly claimed [JURIST report] that it has a right to nuclear technology and that its aims are peaceful.