Photo ReutersThe Trump administration has imposed sanctions on 25 individuals and entities, ratcheting up pressure on Iran in what it said were just "initial steps" days after it had put Tehran "on notice" over a recent ballistic missile test-launch. The new sanctions' impact will be more symbolic than practical, especially as they do not affect the lifting of broader US and international sanctions that took place under the nuclear deal. DesignationsGerman Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Friday expressed understanding over the sanctions, saying Iran's missile test last Sunday was a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. However, Gabriel warned against conflating Sunday's test with the nuclear deal. The White House said the sanctions made clear the nuclear deal was not in Washington's best interest.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 03, 2017 19:16 UTC