1. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary:
"I just left the Oval Office, where President Trump signed a new executive order authorizing even more expanded sanctions against Iran. So, now along with our existing sanctions authority, we have additional sanctions to go after the supreme leader's office, and lock up literally billions of dollars more of assets. Along with that action today, we are also announcing specific actions targeting those responsible for recent activities."
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3. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary:
"The executive order that the president signed was in the works previously. These actions are people who have either made threats for specific things. And again, I don't think you should interpret this anywhere, otherwise other than we are designating people who we believe were responsible for the chain of command whether they knew it or not."
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4. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary:
"Well, I think the president was very clear, if they want to come back to the negotiating table if he's ready, if not, they won't. For people who say these are just symbolic, that's not the case at all. We've literally locked up tens and tens of billions of dollars. These sanctions will come along with additional entities where people are hiding money. So no, these sanctions are highly effective."
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5. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary
"We look forward to a time in releasing sanctions if they're willing to negotiate."
After President Donald Trump signed an order targeting Iran's supreme leader and associates with additional financial sanctions, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the move will 'lock up literally billions of dollars of assets.'
Mnuchin said the sanctions have been in the works and target leaders in Iran's chain of command.
