This Article is From Mar 07, 2017

Iran Keeps Ban On US Visitors In Response To Donald Trump Order

Iran Keeps Ban On US Visitors In Response To Donald Trump Order

The White House re-issued the ban excluding Iraq but still targeting Iranians. (File photo)

IRAN: Iran said on Tuesday it would continue its retaliatory measure of barring US visitors in response to President Donald Trump's updated travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries.

"Our earlier counter-measure against Trump's previous order is still in place," said deputy foreign minister Majid Takht Ravanchi at a conference entitled "What to do about Trump's America".

"There is no need for a new decision," he said, according to the ISNA news agency.

Iran's foreign ministry announced in January it would ban Americans from entering the country in response to Trump's "insulting" order restricting arrivals from Iran and six other Muslim states.

It called the decision "illegal, illogical and contrary to international rules".

The White House re-issued the ban on Monday - this time excluding Iraq but still targeting Iranians - following legal challenges.

Trump's ban was halted by a federal court in February, allowing an Iranian archery team into the US. Iran reciprocated by allowing entry to an American wrestling team for a competition.

Iranians have been the most affected by the ban since more than one million live, work and study in the United States.

The original order was signed by President Trump on January 27th, banning seven Muslim-majority nations and all refugees.

The new order comes into effect on March 16 and is meant to address legal problems. It explicitly exempts Iraqis, legal permanent residents and valid visa holders.

"The principles of the executive order remain the same," said White House spokesman Sean Spicer.
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