Washington, October 16: The Donald Trump administration on Tuesday levelled sanctions on corporations and financial institutions connected to Irans's Basij Resistance Force. According to a report published in Washington Examiner, The United States’ Treasury Department imposed sanctions on at least 20 corporations. The Basij is a top Iranian paramilitary force founded by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 known to be recruiting children for carrying out Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) operations in the region. The Basij is subordinate to the IRCG.

The Treasury Department in 2017 designated IRCG as a terrorist entity. The IRCG has branches in every province and state in Iran. As per Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Basij network is an example of how the IRGC and Iranian military forces have expanded their economic involvement in major industries. He further added that it had infiltrated seemingly legitimate businesses to fund terrorism and other malign activities. United States President Donald Trump Appreciates India At UNGA For Its Efforts In Reducing Poverty

As per the sanctions, the property of the Basij in the US or any other region under its control must be blocked. The sanctions also stated that any individual engaged with entities related to the organisation could be subject to punishment. According to the report, some of the entities targeted include Mehr Eqtesad Bank, Bank Mellat, Mehr Eqtesad Iranian Investment Company, and many more. The sanctions are part of the Trump administration's strategy of “maximum pressure campaign” on Iran. The sanctions are imposed to weaken the Iranian economy. Iran Closes Shalamche Border Crossing With Iraq; Orders Its Citizens To Return Immediately

During his address in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, Trump criticised the leadership in Iran. Trump also accused the Iranian government of spreading chaos in its own country as well as in the world. He termed Iran as the world's largest sponsor of terrorism and added that his government would allow it to possess nuclear weapons.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 11:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).