Timeline | Four decades of Western sanctions on Iran
Tehran has said that it would respond to recent sanctions imposed by the European Union and Britain over its handling of months-long protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. A look back at how Iran is one of the world's most sanctioned countries
Iranians protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the morality police in Tehran. AP
Paris: Iran is one of the world’s most sanctioned countries, with Western powers over the past four decades using a punishing array of measures in a bid to push change.
On Tuesday, Tehran said it would respond to the latest sanctions imposed by the European Union and Britain over the handling of months-long protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
Here is a timeline of the sanctions imposed:
1979: Hostage crisis reprisals
In November 1979, Iranian revolutionary students stun the world when they storm the US embassy in Tehran and take 52 people hostage.
In 1980, midway through the 444-day-long crisis, Washington breaks off diplomatic relations with Iran and imposes restrictions on commerce and travel.
1983: Beirut bombing blacklist
In 1983, the United States is left reeling after 241 Marines are killed in a suicide truck bombing in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Minutes later, a second bombing kills 58 French troops.
In 1984, the United States blacklists Iran as a “state sponsor of terror” over its suspected role in the attacks.
Rescue and clean-up crews search for casualties following the barracks bombing in Beirut on 23 October, 1983. File image/Wikimedia Commons
Three years later, in 1987, then US president Ronald Reagan bans all Iranian imports and curbs some US exports to the country, over attacks on American vessels in the Gulf.
1995: US trade embargo
In 1995, US president Bill Clinton orders a total trade and financial embargo on Iran, accusing it of backing terrorism.
Foreign companies who invest in Iran’s oil sector are targeted.
In 2002, US president George W Bush puts Iran on his list of countries in the “axis of evil” supporting terrorism.
2005: UN nuclear sanctions
Fears that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons intensify in 2005, as newly elected hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ends a freeze on uranium enrichment.
Between 2006 and 2010, the UN adopts four rounds of economic and trade sanctions against entities linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes and freezes their assets.
In 2008, Washington bans American banks from serving as intermediaries in the transfer of funds with Iran. File image/Wikimedia Commons
In 2008, Washington bans American banks from serving as intermediaries in the transfer of funds with Iran.
Iran, which has always denied any ambition to develop an atomic bomb, is also placed under an arms embargo and loans to Tehran are restricted.
2010-12: More financial pain
Between 2010 and 2012, retaliatory measures are announced against foreign groups investing in Iran’s vital oil sector, and the automobile industry is also targeted.
The EU bans technical assistance or the transfer of oil technology to Iran, imposes an oil embargo and freezes hundreds of assets including those of Iran’s central bank.
2015: Nuclear deal
The historic deal reached by world powers in 2015 over Iran’s nuclear programme provides for a progressive lifting of the nuclear-related sanctions imposed since 2006.
In 2018, then US president Donald Trump walks away from the deal.
Trump reimposes sanctions on Iran and companies with ties to it, hitting the central bank and oil sector as part of a tactic of “maximum pressure” on Washington’s arch-foe.
In April 2019, Washington designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation.
After US president Joe Biden’s election in 2021, Washington begins indirect EU-mediated talks with Iran in Vienna, in a bid to revive the nuclear agreement.
2022-23: Crackdown punished
Washington and Brussels impose new sanctions following Iran’s brutal crackdown on the mass women-led protests that erupt after the 16 September, 2022 death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the notorious morality police.
On 23 January, 2023 the EU targets several leaders of the Revolutionary Guards in its fourth round of sanctions over the repression.
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
also read
Blinken says China's brokering of Iran-Saudi accord 'good thing'
The United States frequently denounces China's role in the world as destabilising, though it has also said that Beijing needs to take greater responsibility in international affairs if it wants to be a major power
US vows to protect personnel in Syria after deadly attack
Just a day after the deadly attack on U.S. personnel in Syria, which Washington blamed on a drone of Iranian origin, sources said a U.S. base in Syria's northeast was targeted with a new missile attack. U.S. officials said there were no U.S. casualties in the incident on Friday
US announces sanctions on Iran drone procurement network
Those targeted for sanctions include the Iran-based Defence Technology and Science Research Center, its procurement firm Farazan Industrial Engineering Inc and two other firms along with purchasing agents from the companies