WSJ: The US delegation will warn UAE firms and banks that they will face "extreme risk" if they trade with Iran

The Wall Street Journal published an article today claiming that the US is moving to tighten its enforcement of the sanctions against Iran.

The daily said, according to State and Treasury Department officials, that the US will send a "top-level delegation" next week to the UAE.

The delegation, which will include the head of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Andrea Gacki, will meet with UAE companies, firms, and banks and will warn them that the US has "visibility on transactions that are not compliant with sanctions," one of the senior officials said. "Those banks and firms face extreme risk if this continues."

The visit may also be followed by sanctions against UAE firms, according to the officials.

The paper quoted US officials as saying that "they will keep a diplomatic track open, they would look to increase economic and political pressure on Iran."

The UAE is Iran's second-largest trading partner, as it is the second-biggest non-oil exporter to Iran, at $9.6 billion, and the third-largest non-oil importer of Iranian goods, purchasing goods worth $4.6 billion.

JCPOA return possible

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that the return of the 2015 agreement is possible, adding that US envoy Robert Malley would participate in the nuclear talks with Iran, which will resume Thursday in Vienna.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that AmirAbdollahian criticized the EU's stances and behavior during the talks, adding that so far, Iran has not received any constructive suggestions from the E3.

Yesterday, our correspondent had reported from informed Iranian sources that the Iranian delegation to Vienna has five demands; the most pressing of which is the lifting of JCPOA-related sanctions.