US lawmakers propose sanctions against Iran

Washington: A group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill in the senate that would impose tighter sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile programme.

If approved, the sanctions would affect all people involved in the programme and those with terror links to the Revolutionary Guards, Efe news reported.

The legislation would also require US President Donald Trump to block the property of any person or organisation involved in the supply, sale or transfer of arms and banned goods to or from Iran.

The proposal was introduced on Thursday by 14 senators -- seven Republicans and seven Democrats -- including chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations Bob Corker.

The proposal was also backed by Republicans such as former presidential hopeful and Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

According to these senators, the resolution does not interfere with the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six countries, including the US.

Tehran claims its ballistic missile programme is for defensive purposes and does not violate the nuclear agreement or the UN resolution 2231, which bans Iran from testing nuclear-capable missiles.

The 2015 nuclear deal lifted international sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran limiting its nuclear capacity and allowing supervision of its nuclear programme.

Last year, Iran`s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stressed that there was no place for nuclear weapons in his country, but said Iran had the right to strengthen its defences.

In January, Iran tested a mid-range ballistic missile that exploded after traversing around 1,000 km, in a move that led to an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Following the incident, the US imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and 12 entities linked to the programme, to which Tehran responded with reciprocal measures.