Sanctions and military moves in Trump’s final months in office

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The administration of outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump is pressing ahead with the imposition of sanctions on individuals, companies, and entities associated or doing business with Iran.

U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela Elliott Abrams said on Wednesday that the United States will impose sanctions on four entities in China and Russia for assisting Iran with its missile program, Reuters reported.

Abrams also confirmed during a virtual event with the Beirut Institute that the U.S. will continue to press Iran and impose sanctions related to human rights violations and its nuclear weapons program throughout December and January.

In the same vein, after Trump hinted at the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites just before he leaves office, Israel is reportedly preparing for the scenario.

Israeli leadership is worried that any retaliation for a strike conducted by the Trump Administration would be borne by Israel, likely through pro-Iranian groups in Syria or Lebanese Hezbollah

The dispatch of a U.S. B-52 squadron to the Middle East was seen as another indication that Trump may be preparing for a possible strike against Iran.