Iranian Official Says U.S. Sanctions Criteria Have Expanded
Hamid Qanbari calls for stronger sanctions monitoring and greater use of free-zone capacity.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Qanbari said the United States has broadened the basis for possible sanctions designations and urged stronger monitoring, coordination and economic preparedness. He identified Iran’s free-trade zones as a potential tool for managing financial and trade pressures.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Qanbari said recent U.S. sanctions have expanded the activities that can serve as grounds for designating individuals and entities, including transport, gold, digital assets, aviation and technology. He stressed that this does not mean all participants in these sectors are automatically sanctioned, but that new designations may be easier to impose.
Qanbari called for continuous monitoring of sanctions, coordinated contingency planning and the creation of a comprehensive sanctions map. He also said Iran’s free-trade zones could help facilitate payments, financial exchanges and alternative trade arrangements, provided domestic restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles are reduced.