BREAKING Trump Says He’s Imposing Sanctions on Iran’s Supreme Leader

MULTIPLE UPDATE|S BELOW:  U.S. Sanctions Mean Diplomatic Path Closed ‘Forever’

The escalation continues.

President Donald Trump said he’s imposing sanctions on Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and those in his office, reports Bloomberg.

Trump told reporters at the White House that the sanctions would deny Khamenei access to financial resources. Trump said the supreme leader is responsible for Iran’s hostile conduct.

This is a developing story. Return to this post for updates.

UPDATE 1

Also sanctioned:

IRGCN 1st Naval District Commander Abbas Gholamshahi
IRGCN 2nd Naval District Commander Ramezan Zirahi
IRGCN 3rd Naval District Commander Yadollah Badin
IRGCN 4th Naval District Commander Mansur Ravankar
IRGCN 5th Naval District Commander Ali Ozma’i

UPDATE 2

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin:

"The president has instructed me that we will be designating [Iran's foreign minister Javad] Zarif later this week."

UPDATE 3

Via AFP:

Iranians say  "atmosphere" is not right for dialogue with US.

UPDATE 4

Via Bloomberg:

Iran Says New U.S. Sanctions Mean Diplomatic Path Closed ‘Forever’

“The futile sanctions against the Iranian leader and the country’s chief diplomat mean the permanent closure of the diplomatic path with the government of the United States,” the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, was quoted as saying by semi-official Iranian Students News Agency. “The Trump government is in the process of destroying all the established international mechanisms for maintaining global peace and security.”

UPDATE 5

Via AP:

 Iran's president says new U.S. sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, others are "outrageous and idiotic."


-RW