U.S. Wants More Time Before Imposing New Iranian Sanctions

Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes participates in the Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, September 30, 2015. REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST

IBTimes: US Needs More Time To Decide On New Iran Sanctions Before Nuclear Deal Implementation

The White House is not ready to implement the Iranian nuclear deal because it needs time to draft new sanctions against the country over its ballistic program, officials said Saturday. President Hassan Rouhani ordered his defense minister on Thursday to expand Iran's missile program after the U.S. threatened to impose sanctions over a ballistic missile test Iran carried out in October.

“We have additional work that needs to be done before we would announce additional designations, but this is not something that we would negotiate with the Iranian government," deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is on vacation, Reuters reported. “I would expect the Iranians to complete the work necessary to move forward with implementation in the coming weeks."

WNU Editor: I am not buying this excuse. The White House is afraid that by imposing sanctions .... albeit directed at only a few individuals and companies .... the Iranians will then use this as an excuse to break their nuclear agreement. They (the White House) does not want to lose this deal .... and they are doing everything to make sure that nothing will disrupt its implementation. Unfortunately .... from the iranian perpestively

More News On Reports That The U.S. Wants More Time Before Imposing New Iranian Sanctions

White House: more time needed for new Iran missile sanctions -- Reuters
White House says more technical, diplomatic work needed before any more sanctions against Iran -- AP
White House: More Time Needed on Iran Sanctions -- VOA
U.S. Sanctions Delay Could Open Door for Iranian Weapons Violations -- WSJ