Donald Trump has ordered new sanctions against Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and other officials including eight Revolutionary Guard commanders in the latest step of an escalating pressure campaign. He negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal with the US and other major powers, and has spearheaded Iranian diplomacy since. Iran vows to enrich its uranium stockpile closer to weapons-grade levels if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for its nuclear deal. The EU urges Iran to respect the nuclear deal and says it plans to continue trading with the country despite US sanctions. The EU has the choice of either putting the issue in the nuclear deal dispute mechanism, or threatening its own retaliatory measures.

Source: The Guardian June 24, 2019 10:20 UTC