In his Tuesday morning tweet... U.S. President Donald Trump warned that countries trading with Iran.... will not be doing business with Washington... as new sanctions on Tehran took effect overnight.
Ro Aram reports.
President Trump's warning seems to be aimed at the European Union.
That is because the EU is trying to protect European businesses that are trading in Iran from facing U.S. sanctions.
In his tweet, President Trump said the latest sanctions on Iran were the most biting sanctions ever imposed, adding they will "ratchet up to yet another level" in November.
Washington is rolling out unilateral sanctions on Iran in stages following Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The next round of punitive measures will come into effect in November and will target Iran's oil industry.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, responded to President Trump's tweet by urging European firms to ignore the White House.
Also on Tuesday a blocking statute aimed at protecting EU firms took effect.
It involves possible punishments to European companies if they comply with Washington's demands, while offering them a chance to sue the U.S. for interference.
Russia, which remains a signatory of the 2015 deal along with the EU and others, also slammed the U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Moscow's foreign ministry issued a statement saying Russia will do everything necessary to save the deal and protect its economic relationship with Tehran.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
