Obama Extends National Emergency on Iran

US President Barack Obama has declared the continuation of his country’s national emergency against Iran, claiming that despite full commitment of it nuclear deal with the 5+1 group- the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany, Iran still poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to America. American media reported that the outgoing president informed Congress of his decision in a letter on Friday, saying that the national emergency, which was declared on March 15, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond March 15, 2017. In a flurry of paperwork to Capitol Hill, Obama extended sanctions against Iran, Cuba, Libya, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Russia. He also renewed an executive order targeting the assets of Hezbollah and 12 other Middle Eastern terrorist groups. Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council said, “In keeping with his commitment to a smooth transition, President Obama has decided to renew all national emergencies that would otherwise expire in the first 60 days of the incoming administration.” He added , “This will ensure that the new administration will not need to immediately undertake renewals necessary to safeguard our national security as it works to put its national security team in place and secure Senate confirmation of relevant appointees.”