If you haven't heard the news by now, Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans seven predominantly Muslim countries from immigrating to the United States for 90 days.
As of today, the repercussions of this supposedly strategic move by Trump's administrations are being felt as Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has announced that Iran will ban U.S. citizens from entering the country and will limit visas altogether. According to a report from Reuters, a foreign ministry statement released today cites the following:
While respecting the American people and distinguishing between them and the hostile policies of the U.S. government, Iran will implement the principle of reciprocity until the offensive U.S. limitations against Iranian nationals are lifted.
The U.S. ban is rumored to affect over one million Iranian-American citizens from visiting family here in America. Additionally, Rouhani commented on Trump's actions and urged that the world needs to become closer rather than separated by walls in his statement on live Iranian State television below.
Today is not the time to erect walls between nations. They have forgotten that the Berlin wall fell years ago. To annul world trade accords does not help their economy and does not serve the development and blooming of the world economy. This is the day for the world to get closer through trade.
While it looks as though two world leaders have made brash and spur of the moment decisions, it is important to note that Trump's administration has dismantled the years of work that Rouhani's administration has put forth to thaw relations with world powers and ease sanctions in a matter of days.
Though we are all unsure of what will happen next, stay tuned for more developments in this ongoing situation.