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US, announcing new sanctions, says it hopes Iran comes 'back to negotiating table'

New sanctions on Iranians who have engaged in sensitive defense research are intended to make those individuals “radioactive,” according to a senior US administration official.
A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with foreign ministers and representatives of the U.S., Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015. To match Analysis USA-ELECTION/IRAN      REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo - S1AEULVWJEAA

WASHINGTON — A senior Trump administration official said today that new US Iran sanctions designations targeting Iranians alleged to have been involved in sensitive defense research are part of a broader pressure campaign it hopes will eventually persuade Iran to come back to the negotiating table.

“For the last few months we have been going to a great deal of trouble to reimpose pressures upon Iran … in order to try to incentivize Iran making the right choice and in coming back to the table to ultimately agree to the kind of enduring and better, more comprehensive settlement,” a senior US administration official, speaking not for attribution, told journalists on a call hosted by the State and Treasury departments today.

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