US imposes sanctions on Iran's atomic energy chief

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Thursday against Iran’s atomic agency and its chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

American citizens are generally prohibited from conducting business with the blacklisted entities, and any assets they possess subject to U.S. jurisdiction have been frozen.

The latest designation came amid the Trump administration's continued push for what it calls its "maximum pressure campaign" against Iran, which included President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw Washington from an international pact intended to curb Tehran's nuclear program and subsequent reimposition of economic sanctions on the Iranian oil sector.

The effort has repeatedly brought tensions between the U.S. and Iran to a fever pitch, most recently putting the two foes on the brink of war.

Following the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, Tehran said it would no longer comply with any commitments under the 2015 deal signed with several world powers, which Trump has already left and has sought to scuttle.

Iran responded by launching salvos of ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases where U.S. forces are stationed, but the sides indicated they would not further escalate militarily.