The United States and the European Union (EU) announced this Tuesday that they are making the necessary preparations to expand sanctions on Iran for the attack against Israel.
The new sanctions could arrive “in the coming days,” according to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a press conference.
Yellen announced that she will take advantage of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), which are being held this week in Washington, to coordinate positions with her allies and expand the sanctions regime that already weighs on Tehran.
The head of the Treasury did not offer details about what sanctions the United States and its allies will impose; But when asked by the press, she mentioned the possibility of increasing controls to prevent Tehran from bypassing the US sanctions that already weigh on its oil sector.
“Iran continues to export some oil. It is possible that something more can be done. I don’t want to say anything about the sanctions we could impose but, without a doubt, that is one of the areas we could address,” he simply said.
In 2018, under the Donald Trump Administration (2017-2021), the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran’s oil sector and, since then, the Joe Biden Administration has attempted to enforce those restrictions by imposing sanctions on companies from different countries. that help Tehran sell oil.
Despite these efforts, Iran continues to be able to evade US sanctions to export oil, with China being one of its main customers.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, announced the formal start of preparations for the Twenty-Seven club to impose sanctions against Iran.
“I will send the request to the European External Action Service to begin the necessary work related to the sanctions,” Borrell assured in an appearance before the press after an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers held by videoconference.
At the same time, Biden is moving closer with House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Washington, to approve more aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane Air Force One, one of the White House spokespersons, John Kirby, indicated that Biden would be open to the possibility of supporting a plan proposed by Johnson to provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan will vote on separate bills, rather than all together in one legislative package.
