U.S. threatens sanctions after U.N. arms embargo against Iran expires - CNBC

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Sunday that the United States will slap sanctions on any individual or entity that assists Iran's weapons program, a move that will likely further aggravate tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Any country that now challenges this prohibition will be very clearly choosing to fuel conflict and tension over promoting peace and security," Pompeo said in a Sunday statement.

arms embargo against Iran officially expired Sunday as part of the nuclear deal agreed with world powers in 2015.

Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that the "Islamic Republic of Iran may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions and solely based on its defensive needs." However, Tehran said it has no intention to go on a buying spree of conventional arms.

Security Council members have previously said Washington does not have the authority to execute because it withdrew from the nuclear deal in in 2018.

arms embargo on Iran, you risk sanctions," Pompeo said in an address on Sept.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have mounted after President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement in 2018, calling it "the worst deal ever.".

The 2015 accord lifted sanctions on Iran that crippled its economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program until the terms expire in 2025.

wants to reach a broader deal with Iran that puts stricter limits on its nuclear and ballistic missile work and suppresses the regime's role in regional proxy wars. Tehran has refused to negotiate while U.S.

In January, Iran said it would no longer limit its uranium enrichment capacity or nuclear research.