“Given that this behavior threatens peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond, I have determined that it is in the interest of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of senior government officials of Iran, and their immediate family members,” Trump said in a proclamation.
It was unclear why Trump chose to issue the proclamation on Wednesday.
Trump gave the authority to decide who would be covered by the proclamation to the secretary of state, or whomever he designates.
Trump also provided exceptions, saying that among others the proclamation would not apply to lawful US permanent residents, those granted asylum, or refugees already admitted to the United States. He also provided possible exceptions for people whose entry “would further important … law enforcement objectives.”
The proclamation posted on the White House website and bearing Wednesday’s date, repeated US accusations that Iran “sponsors terrorism, arbitrarily detains American citizens, threatens its neighbors and carries out destructive cyber-attacks”.
