The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Turkish Defense Industries Administration, its head, Ismail Demir, and three officials in it, as punishment for Ankara for its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, in a move that Ankara considered would harm relations with Washington, noting that it would respond with what Need.

The US Department said the sanctions were imposed under the CAATSA Act to Combat America's Adversaries.

For his part, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the sanctions include banning all US export licenses, freezing assets, and placing restrictions on entry visas to the United States for those responsible for the Turkish authority.

The US secretary added that these sanctions came because of Ankara’s participation in the purchase of the "S-400" system from Moscow.

He indicated that he urged Turkey to solve this problem in coordination with the United States, considering that Ankara's purchase of the Russian missile defense system would endanger the security of US military technology and the military.

Pompeo stressed that "the measures taken today clearly confirm that the United States (...) will not be satisfied with important exchanges with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors," considering that Turkey is a valuable ally and an important partner in regional security, and America seeks to continue cooperation in the defense sector.

Pompeo: We urged Turkey to solve this problem in coordination with the United States (Reuters)

He looked forward and promised

In this context, the State Department said that it is looking forward to finding a solution to Turkey's decision to purchase the S-400 system, which prompted the United States to impose sanctions on Ankara.

"This decision did not leave us with an alternative ... We hope that the Turkish government is ready to communicate with us in an attempt to find a solution to this matter," Christopher Ford, Assistant Secretary for International Security and Proliferation, told reporters.

In the context of the reactions, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the US sanctions would harm bilateral relations, and "we will respond with what is necessary."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on Washington to reconsider and reverse the sanctions decision.

She also said, "We will not refrain from taking any step for our national security."

It also considered that the unilateral US sanctions are an act devoid of all forms of prudence, describing them as "unfair."

Russian air defense system (Reuters)

Execution of the transaction

A week ago, Sergey Chemezov, director of the Russian "Rustic" military manufacturing company, said that the deal for the S-400 air defense system had been implemented.

Chemezov added - in an interview with Interfax - that Ankara has received all parts of the system and paid all financial dues.

And last month, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar confirmed his country's readiness to dispel the technical concerns of the United States, regarding the compatibility of the Russian defense system (S-400).

Akar added - in a speech he delivered to Parliament during the discussion of his ministry's budget for 2021 - that purchasing the "S-400" system is not an option but a necessity to maintain Turkey's security, safety, stability and sovereignty, stressing that his country is not just a country that buys F-35 fighters. The American F-35 is even a partner in its industry.

Washington says that the use of the "S-400" systems may endanger the defense systems of NATO (NATO), while Ankara says that the system will not be integrated into the systems of the alliance, and will not pose any threat.

Relations between the two countries, NATO members, were severely strained last year, when Ankara acquired the advanced Russian air defense system, prompting Washington to suspend Ankara's participation in the program to manufacture its F-35 aircraft.