Tag Archive for Iran sanctions

| January 31, 2019
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Europe devised trade mechanism to circumvent US sanctions on Iran

Despite Iranian ballistic missile tests and exposed assassination plots on European soil, Germany, France and Britain will focus primarily with small transactions of food & medicine as a political message to the United States to show Europe defends its interests despite US sanctions.

By Reuters

 

PARIS/BERLIN – Germany, France and Britain have officially set up a European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and circumvent US sanctions, two diplomats said on Thursday.

The EU has been preparing the system, in effect a clearing house that avoids monetary transfers in dollars between the EU and Iran, for months although it is unlikely to become operational for several months due to technical details. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 14, 2015
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Russia lifts weapons ban to Iran with promise of S-300 anti-missile rocket system

Iran’s Defense Minister praises Moscow’s decision to cancel embargo on shipment of the advanced S-300 anti-missile rocket systems to his country.

By Elad Benari

 

Iran’s Defense Minister, Hossein Dehqan, on Monday welcomed Russia’s decision to lift a ban on the delivery of S-300 anti-missile rocket systems to his country, claiming the decision would help maintain stability in the region.

S-300 missile defense batteries – Reuters

“The expansion of cooperation [with Russia] and improving cooperation with other neighboring countries in various fields can be very effective in establishing sustainable stability and security in the region,” Dehqan said, according to Iran’s PressTV. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 22, 2015
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Israeli Satellite Intel Reveals New Iranian Long-Range Missile Launching Facility

Israeli satellite imaging concern finds in Iran a 27 meter (89 ft) missile launcher with new missile capable of reaching as far as Israel & Europe
• Teheran is still in the midst of nuclear negotiations with world powers.

By Eli Leon & Israel Hayom Staff

 

Israeli satellite imaging company ImageSat released images from Iran revealing a new nuclear development site.

ImageSat International’s satellite image show missile release facility in Iran

The images show what appears to be a new missile launcher that stands 27 meters (89 feet) tall and is capable of launching a nuclear missile to Israel or Europe, according to a Channel 2 report.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 20, 2013
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White House Promises Veto as Senate Promotes New Iran Sanctions

Barack Obama threatened to use his veto  against any new legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.

By Elad Benari

 

The White House on Thursday threatened to use its veto power against legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran, as senators continued to promote such legislation in defiance of President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama – AFP photo

The threat came hours after a bipartisan group of senators filed a new Iran sanctions measure, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), would impose tougher sanctions on Tehran if it refuses to dismantle its contested nuclear program after the end of a six-month negotiating period. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 11, 2013
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Israeli officials: US admits Iran will get $20 billion in sanctions relief – not $7 billion as Obama said

 


U.S. administration officials admitted to Israeli colleagues that American negotiators greatly underestimated the economic benefits Iran would reap from Geneva’s P5+1 accord.

By

 

 

Senior officials in the administration of President Barack Obama have conceded over the past few days in conversations with colleagues in Israel that the value of the economic sanctions relief to Iran could be much higher than originally thought in Washington, security sources in Israel told Haaretz.

Tehran

The Iranian economy is already showing signs of growth. – Photo: AP

In official statements by the United States immediately after the agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear program was signed in Geneva between Iran and theF six powers at the end of November it was said that the economic relief Iran would receive in exchange for signing the agreement would be relatively low – $6 billion or $7 billion. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 6, 2013
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ADL’s chief favors firm Iran sanctions, blasts White House ‘hysterical’ response

Jewish leader is embarrassed by Obama’s acquiescence to Teheran’s pressure, describes secret U.S. talks with Iran as ‘violation of special relationship with Israel.’

By

 

 

The head of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman has come out in clear support of legislation of new sanctions on Iran while blasting what he describes as the administration’s “hysterical” reaction to possibility that Congress will enact them.

Iran nuclear talks at the UN

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton attend meeting at the UN on Sept. 26, 2013. – Photo: AP

“I am embarrassed by how our government has accepted the threats of blackmail by the Iranians against even discussing new sanctions,” Foxman told Haaretz on Friday. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 30, 2013
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Turkey & Iran plan on reviving trade in wake of nuclear deal

Hurriyet Daily News says Iranian and Turkish officials are to meet in near future to resume economic cooperation.

By & Reuters

 

 

The nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers may result in improved economic ties between the Islamic Republic and Turkey.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu after a news conference in Ankara, November 1, 2013.- Photo: Reuters

According to a report Saturday in Hurriyet Daily News, an Iranian delegation will visit Turkey “in the near future” to discuss the two countries’ trade relations, while Turkish Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan is set to travel to Tehran in mid-January. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 24, 2013
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White House releases details of nuclear deal with Iran

Complete document: ‘1st Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program.’

By

 

 

Shortly after the announcement of the deal, the White House released a ‘fact sheet’ explaining the agreement and the rationals that directed the U.S. in its negotiating efforts. Included is the full text:

US President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room at the White House Saturday November 23, 2013, in Washington about the nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran (photo credit: AP/Susan Walsh)

US President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room at the White House Saturday November 23, 2013, about the nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran – Photo: AP/Susan Walsh

 

Fact Sheet: First Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program

The P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, facilitated by the European Union) has been engaged in serious and substantive negotiations with Iran with the goal of reaching a verifiable diplomatic resolution that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 21, 2013
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Khamenei: ‘ Zionist regime doomed to annihilation’

 

Iran’s supreme leader says ‘Israeli officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals’.

Israeli expert: Harsh talk meant “to set stage for deal.”

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON, REUTERS

 

 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not step back from its nuclear rights, and his negotiating team had set limits for talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Photo: Ho New/Reuters

Khamenei took swipes at Israel and France during his speech to tens of thousands of volunteer Basij militiamen in Tehran, broadcast live on Iran’s Press TV.

“Zionist officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals, some of them,” said Khamenei.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 19, 2013
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Exiled dissidents report: Iran building new secret nuclear instillation

Iranian opposition group, which previously exposed the Natanz uranium enrichment plant and the Arak heavy-water facility are now reporting a new underground site that’s being built inside a 600-meter tunnel complex.

By Reuters

 

 

An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Monday it had information about an underground nuclear site being built in Iran and that this was among a number of secret venues for an atomic bomb program.

Iran nuclear Arak - AP - Archive

Heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006. – Photo: AP

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exposed Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and a heavy-water facility at Arak in 2002. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 18, 2013
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Sounds good: Iran agrees Arak halt, uranium freeze, tough inspections – but, bad deal

Obama plans to brief Congressional leaders on Wednesday of talks in Geneva, as Israel’s Prime Minister maintains criticism of ‘exceedingly bad’ cosmetic proposals.

 

The P5+1 proposal that will be discussed at Wednesday’s talks with Iran at Geneva includes a halt on any further construction at the Arak heavy water plant as well as a freeze on Iran’s current stockpiles of enriched uranium.

Iran nuclear Arak - AP - Archive

Heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak, .- Photo: AP

According to informed U.S. sources, the proposal also includes the imposition of an unprecedented inspection regime aimed at ensuring that Tehran keeps the commitments that it will undertake in the new nuclear deal.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 7, 2013
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Israeli source: Pakistan ready to give Saudi Arabia a nuclear bomb it bought

Nukes for the Saudis are ready for delivery, Israeli intel chief tell the BBC; if so, a Middle East nuclear arms race may have begun.

By

 

 

Saudi Arabia helped finance the Pakistani nuclear weapons program and is confident Islamabad will give it atomic bombs – which could trigger a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race, the BBC reported on Wednesday. According to a NATO source, Pakistan actually has made bombs for Saudi Arabia and they are ready to go, the report said.

A Sajjil missile is displayed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, September 21, 2012.

A Sajjil missile is displayed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, in front of a portrait of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a military parade near Tehran, September 21, 2012.-

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 3, 2013
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U.S. negotiator on Iran: No sanctions lifted – Israel’s security is a priority

Chief U.S. negotiator for Iran, Wendy Sherman, says White House is committed to stopping Iran from advancing its nuclear program.

By

 

 

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, who is also chief U.S. negotiator for Iran‘s nuclear program, assured Israel that the U.S. has not offered Iran any sanctions relief and that Israeli security is a priority.

Wendy Sherman

Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 3. – Photo: AP

“Israel’s security is bedrock. There is no closer security relationship than what we have with each other.”

In an interview with Channel 10’s Tamar Ish Shalom Sunday, Sherman said the Obama administration is committed to stopping Iran’s nuclear program from advancing as a first step, “while we negotiate and offer limited, temporary reversible sanctions relief, but keep in place the fundamental architecture of oil and banking sanctions.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| October 8, 2013
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Intel Minister Steinitz: Iranian economy 18 months to total collapse

 

 

US led Sanctions on Iran have cost its economy $100 billion in damage. “The pressure works, it is effective,” Steinitz said. “If we add to this pressure a credible military threat, the chances will be greatly improved.”

By HERB KEINON

 

 

The Iranian economy is 18 months away from collapse, Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said Monday.

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz - Photo: Hadas Parush

Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz – Photo: Hadas Parush

Steinitz, speaking at a conference at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, said that over the last 18-24 months the international sanctions have caused about $100 billion in damage to the country’s economy, which has an annual $450 billion GDP.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| September 30, 2013
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Peres: ‘All options open on Iran’ just hrs before Netanyahu-Obama meeting

At his visit to the ICJ in The Hague, Israel’s President Peres reported that economic sanctions may have impact but threat of force could be necessary.

By , and

 

 

Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Monday “all options” are being kept open in forcing Iran to give up its nuclear program.

Peres in The Hague

Israel’s President Peres delivers a statement at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday Sept. 30, 2013. – Photo: AP

Speaking at The Hague, Peres said the economic sanctions against Iran now have not dissuaded the country from enriching uranium or building long-range missiles, although it may have affected Tehran’s public statements. Continue Reading »

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