America imposes new sanctions on Iran

The US government has designated an elite unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps a ‘supporter of terrorism’ as part of a new round of sanctions.

The Guards have been labelled a ‘proliferator of weapons of mass destruction’, a reference to ballistic missiles they are allegedly developing. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made the announcement alongside Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.The classification will allow the US to target the powerful force’s finances.The US has repeatedly accused Iran of destabilising Iraq and Afghanistan, blaming the Revolutionary Guards for supplying and training insurgents.Speaking at news conference in Washington, Ms Rice said the US would designate the Revolutionary Guards a “proliferator of weapons of mass destruction” on account of the ballistic missile programme in which it is allegedly involved.Under Executive Order 13382, the US authorities will be able to freeze the assets of, and prohibit any US citizen or organisation from doing business with the Guards.Iran’s ministry of defence, which controls the country’s defence industry, three Iranian banks and several companies owned by the Guards, will also face sanctions.The Guards’ Quds Force will be designated separately as a ‘supporter of terrorism’ under Executive Order 13224, which authorises the US to identify individuals, businesses, charities and extremist groups engaged in terrorism.The elite special operations wing of Revolutionary Guards has been accused by US officials of supplying powerful roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades to Shia militants in Iraq.Thought to have 15 000 troops, it is responsible for conducting covert missions overseas and for forging relationships with other Shia groups.BBCUS Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made the announcement alongside Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.The classification will allow the US to target the powerful force’s finances.The US has repeatedly accused Iran of destabilising Iraq and Afghanistan, blaming the Revolutionary Guards for supplying and training insurgents.Speaking at news conference in Washington, Ms Rice said the US would designate the Revolutionary Guards a “proliferator of weapons of mass destruction” on account of the ballistic missile programme in which it is allegedly involved.Under Executive Order 13382, the US authorities will be able to freeze the assets of, and prohibit any US citizen or organisation from doing business with the Guards.Iran’s ministry of defence, which controls the country’s defence industry, three Iranian banks and several companies owned by the Guards, will also face sanctions.The Guards’ Quds Force will be designated separately as a ‘supporter of terrorism’ under Executive Order 13224, which authorises the US to identify individuals, businesses, charities and extremist groups engaged in terrorism.The elite special operations wing of Revolutionary Guards has been accused by US officials of supplying powerful roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades to Shia militants in Iraq.Thought to have 15 000 troops, it is responsible for conducting covert missions overseas and for forging relationships with other Shia groups.BBC