Threatening response, Iran suggests new US visa law violates nuclear pact - Middle East
- 8 years ago
Iran's foreign ministry threatened on Monday to respond in kind to a US law adding new travel restrictions on Iranian nationals seeking entry into the United States, warning that the law contravenes the nuclear deal it brokered with world powers last summer.
The law exempts those who have traveled to or hold dual nationality from Syria, Iraq, or countries listed as state sponsors of terrorism by the State Department from visiting the US visa-free.
European Union officials have criticized the law, and have threatened to respond with a reciprocal policy which would restrict the travel of Iranian Americans to Europe.
The new measure passed with unanimous bipartisan support in the US Congress, and was praised as a compromise by US President Barack Obama when he signed it into law.
While the White House considers the new provision imperfect, they do not consider it a violation of the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which allows the US to continue treating Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The law exempts those who have traveled to or hold dual nationality from Syria, Iraq, or countries listed as state sponsors of terrorism by the State Department from visiting the US visa-free.
European Union officials have criticized the law, and have threatened to respond with a reciprocal policy which would restrict the travel of Iranian Americans to Europe.
The new measure passed with unanimous bipartisan support in the US Congress, and was praised as a compromise by US President Barack Obama when he signed it into law.
While the White House considers the new provision imperfect, they do not consider it a violation of the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which allows the US to continue treating Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.