US again warns Pakistan against trade pacts with Iran

Washington– The US has once again warned Pakistan that sanctions will be imposed if it signs new agreements with Iran.

During a press briefing in Washington, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, stated that Pakistan may face sanctions if it encourages business agreements with Iran.

He emphasized that people forming agreements should be cognizant of sanctions, and urged Pakistan to view relations with Iran in accordance with its foreign policy.

Previously, the US had hinted at the “risk of possible sanctions” on Pakistan if it traded with Iran.

Responding to a query about Iran President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the United States is one of Pakistan’s top export customers.

However, he advised “caution to those considering trade deals with Iran,” given the possibility of sanctions.

“We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions.”

The spokeswoman did not mention Pakistan by name, but emphasized the importance of the United States as the country’s largest foreign market and investor.

“We have also been a major investor in Pakistan for the last 20 years. Pakistan’s economic prosperity is in both of our interests, and we hope to continue working together,” he said.

Regarding President Raisi’s three-day visit to Pakistan and the bilateral agreements signed by the two nations, he intimated that these [US-Pakistan] relations could be compromised by sanctions due to Iran.

It should be noted that the US warned Islamabad last month about sanctions for purchasing gas from Iran, stating that “we do not support this pipeline going forward.”