The US sanctions the Ministry of Defense of Iran and Nicolás Maduro

Iran sanctions pit US against world 2:29

(CNN) - The

United States sanctioned the Iranian Defense Ministry, the Iran Defense Industries Organization and its director, as well as the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.

This was announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when reporting on a new decree "to enforce the UN arms embargo and arrest those responsible for evading UN sanctions."

"For nearly two years, corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to circumvent the UN arms embargo," Pompeo said.

"Our actions today are a warning that should be heard around the world."

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Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the "decree will further disrupt Iranian efforts to import and proliferate conventional weapons."

In addition, it will help "to protect US forces, our allies and partners, and the civilian population, until Iran meets international standards."

“We encourage Tehran to cease its evil activities throughout the region and act like a normal country.

But we are also prepared to respond to Iranian aggression, ”Esper said.

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“Our commanders have the authorities and the resources they need to protect their soldiers and prepare for any contingency.

We continue to work shoulder to shoulder with our allies and partners to counter the destabilizing behavior of Iran.

The United States said it unilaterally activated sanctions against Iran over the weekend, even though most members of the UN Security Council rejected the United States' argument that it had the legal capacity to do so.

The United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Nicolás Maduros sanctions to Iran