The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday afternoon announced it is imposing sanctions on leading Iranian financial institutions for “supporting child soldiers.” In addition to sanctioning the banks, the Treasury is also targeting the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company and Esfehan’s Mobarakeh Steel Company, which are said to make up a multibillion-dollar network supporting the Bonyad Taavon Basij’s “efforts to recruit, train, and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat.”“This vast network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij’s efforts to recruit, train, and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat under the IRGC’s direction,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The announcement comes after the United States in late August defended its re-imposition of sanctions against Iran as a legal and justified national security measure that cannot be … [Read more...] about Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Banks for Supporting Child Soldiers
Sanctions
Trump administration issues new Iran sanctions, while quiet on possibility of sanctioning Saudis
The Trump administration is leveling new sanctions against businesses tied to Basij, considered a paramilitary force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as the president continues to ratchet up pressure on Iran. Yet the Trump administration has hesitated to suggest or condone any sanctions as punishment for the Saudis if they are indeed found responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. On Tuesday, senior administration officials outlined the new sanctions against a network of businesses supporting the Basij, asserting the Basij recruits child soldiers and anyone who does business with them must suffer. But those senior administration officials were, as the president has been, cautious to consider the possibility of any sanctions against the Saudis. On Capitol Hill, a bipartisan group of senators has already set in motion the possibility of new Saudi sanctions, and Sen. Lindsey Graham told "Fox and Friends" on Tuesday the U.S. should "sanction the hell out … [Read more...] about Trump administration issues new Iran sanctions, while quiet on possibility of sanctioning Saudis
North Korea: U.S. Must Stop Being ‘Stubborn’ with Sanctions, Help Our Economy
North Korea’s government news agency published a piece Tuesday condemning the United States yet again for refusing to lift sanctions on the rogue state, calling American officials “stubborn” and arguing that sanctions “are misused as tools for meeting party interests” in America. The Trump administration has insisted that it will not lift sanctions on North Korea, currently at unprecedented levels, until Pyongyang agrees to completely dismantle its illegal nuclear weapons program and proves that it has irreversibly done so. The government of communist dictator Kim Jong-un, aided by allies in China and Russia, has instead demanded that the United States lift some sanctions as North Korea issues concessions at their leisure.The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) expressed its impatience with Washington yet again on Tuesday, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. “If the U.S. intends to be stubborn in its sanctions, which means to continue to … [Read more...] about North Korea: U.S. Must Stop Being ‘Stubborn’ with Sanctions, Help Our Economy
Saudi to respond with greater action over sanctions against kingdom
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Saudi Arabian government confirmed it will respond with "greater action" over sanctions against the kingdom, according to a statement reported by the state news agency Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in Riyadh, Sunday (Oct 14). The statement noted that greater action would be taken in response to threats of economic sanctions, political pressure, or false accusations that would undermine the kingdom, Antara quoted SPA as reporting here, Monday. "The government and people are steadfast, regardless of the circumstances and pressure," the statement noted. The Saudi government also affirmed that the kingdom`s economy had an influential and vital role in the global economy. The statement was issued following threats and sanctions from several countries against the kingdom and was deemed responsible for the disappearance of a Saudi Arabian journalist named Jamal Khashoggi. Turkey`s News Agency, Anadolu, reported that on Saturday (Oct 12), US President Donald Trump … [Read more...] about Saudi to respond with greater action over sanctions against kingdom
Oil rises as Saudi Arabia vows to hit back against any sanctions
Heesu Lee and Grant Smith, Bloomberg Published 4:24 am CDT, Monday, October 15, 2018 Fog blankets a low-lying area where pumpjacks operate in West Texas, northeast of Kermit, on Sept. 12, 2018. Fog blankets a low-lying area where pumpjacks operate in West Texas, northeast of Kermit, on Sept. 12, 2018. Photo: Jerod Foster, Associated Press Photo: Jerod Foster, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Fog blankets a low-lying area where pumpjacks operate in West Texas, northeast of Kermit, on Sept. 12, 2018. Fog blankets a low-lying area where pumpjacks operate in West Texas, northeast of Kermit, on Sept. 12, 2018. Photo: Jerod Foster, Associated Press Oil rises as Saudi Arabia vows to hit back against any … [Read more...] about Oil rises as Saudi Arabia vows to hit back against any sanctions