Saudi Gazette report

Washington — The US wants to apply more sanctions on individuals and institutions violating human rights in Iran but wants to do it in a way as not to hurt ordinary Iranians, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Persian Twitter channel of the US State Department in a short interview.

In the video Pompeo answers a question posed by an Iranian as to why the administration does not sanction the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) or Iran’s intelligence ministry for their violations of human rights.

He answers that it is sad Iranian officials fail to protect those rights and reiterates, “We want to do our part”.

Pompeo then goes on explaining that the administration has sanctioned around 140 individuals and entities and is looking for ways to do more but in a way as not to “penalize” ordinary people.

“We will continue to look to find out who the wrongdoers are,” he added.

The US imposed heavy sanctions on Iran in 2018 related to its role in the Middle East and its missile program. These sanctions have put Iran’s economy in a deep recession, with high inflation and unemployment.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani threatened to close Strait of Hormuz and use other options to stop oil flow if threatened.

“Iran has plans in place that will neutralize the illegal US sanctions against Iran’s oil exports,” Shamkhani told the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday.

“We have many ways to sell our oil.” — With agencies