Iran sanctioned on Sunday the former director for countering Iran’s weapons of mass destruction at the White House National Security Council, Richard Goldberg, for what the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called “economic terrorism.”
Goldberg, currently a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which was sanctioned by Iran last year, called the Iranian move a “badge of honor.”
An Iran hawk, Goldberg played a key role in the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran that has included sanctions and military force, and earlier this year, the elimination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
I've been a @WHNSC official, chief of staff for a governor, senior staff for a US Senator, senior adviser for @FDD & deployed to Afghanistan as a Navy Reservist. Today I gain a new badge of honor: "sanctioned" by Iran for coordinating @realDonaldTrump's maximum pressure campaign.
— Richard Goldberg (@rich_goldberg) August 2, 2020
In a tweet, Goldberg wrote, “I dedicate today’s sanctions announcement to the victims of Islamic Republic of Iran-sponsored terrorism, the Americans still detained in Iran & the people of Iran who yearn for peace & freedom.”
It was an honor to serve @realDonaldTrump, @AmbJohnBolton & @robertcobrien at @WHNSC. I dedicate today’s sanctions announcement to the victims of Islamic Republic of Iran-sponsored terrorism, the Americans still detained in Iran & the people of Iran who yearn for peace & freedom.
— Richard Goldberg (@rich_goldberg) August 2, 2020
Goldberg’s position was created by then-National Security Advisor John Bolton.
“Congratulations to @rich_goldberg for a job well done! Drawing sanctions from the corrupt Iranian regime for “economic terrorism” shows the effectiveness of his work,” tweeted Bolton.
Congratulations to @rich_goldberg for a job well done! Drawing sanctions from the corrupt Iranian regime for "economic terrorism" shows the effectiveness of his work https://t.co/wr2i2XIWQv
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) August 3, 2020
Goldberg served on Capitol Hill for a decade, including serving as deputy chief of staff and senior foreign-policy adviser to former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). He was also deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs and chief of staff for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois, where he led the effort to enact the first state-based law dealing directly with the anti-Israel BDS movement.
