Rubio Warns Countries Helping Iran Evade US Sanctions Could Face Penalties

WASHINGTON:US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that countries helping Iran circumvent American sanctions could also face US sanctions.

Speaking in an interview with *The Brian Kilmeade Show*, Rubio dismissed reports of a possible trade agreement between India and Iran, saying he did not believe any such deal had been finalized between the two countries.

Rubio said countries around the world have their own independent foreign policies and that many nations maintain contacts with Iran. However, he stressed that no country should provide Iran with a system or channel that would allow Tehran to evade US sanctions or generate revenue.

The US secretary of state said President Donald Trump’s position was clear that countries helping Iran bypass sanctions could also face action from Washington.

According to Rubio, the United States is concerned that Iran could use revenue generated through sanctions evasion to support terrorism and develop nuclear weapons. Therefore, countries facilitating such activities could also be subjected to US sanctions.