Iran on fast-track to nuclear weapon
Iran has significantly reduced its nuclear breakout time.
sanctions
Trump expected to sign Hong Kong bill
President Trump is expected to sign legislation backing pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong and authorizing sanctions, according to former officials familiar with his thinking, even as his administration pursues a trade deal with China.
Pompeo: Economic Woes Driving Protests in Iran the Result of Regime Policies, Not US Pressure
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the weekend denied that the U.S. pressure campaign on Iran was responsible for the economic grievances that sparked the current wave of protests, saying regime policies predating the restoration of sanctions were to blame.
U.S. Warns Turkey, Egypt About Purchase Of Russian Military Equipment
A senior State Department official has lashed out at Turkey and Egypt for military deals they have struck with Russia, warning of sanctions against the U.S. allies if they don’t reverse course.
Iran points to foreign conspiracy of Israel, US, Saudis behind fuel protests
Members of Iran’s Basij militia made interesting claims in the wake of nationwide protests against fuel hikes over the weekend.
U.S. warships sail in disputed South China Sea amid tensions
U.S. Navy warships, on two occasions in the past few days, have sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, the U.S. military told Reuters on Thursday, at a time of tension between the world’s two largest economies.
North Korea ‘not interested’ in U.S. talks without more concessions
North Korea says it is not “interested” in additional denuclearization negotiations with the U.S. without more concessions from Washington, just one day after President Trump hinted at upcoming talks with Pyongyang with a tweet that read in part, ‘See you soon!’
US cancels Iran nuclear cooperation waiver after Fordo restart
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that he is canceling one of four sanctions waivers that had allowed foreign companies to work with Iran’s civilian nuclear program without US penalties. Pompeo also warned Iran’s leadership not to crack down on protests that recent fuel price increases have sparked.
U.S. targets Iranian top leader’s inner circle with new sanctions
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on nine people close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including his chief of staff, one of his sons and the head of the judiciary.
Iran uses embassy takeover anniversary to announce doubling of nuclear enrichment
U.S.-Iran tensions escalated Monday as Tehran announced a doubling of its uranium enrichment activities in a calculated breach of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and the Trump administration leveled a slate of fresh sanctions targeting an inner circle of officials around Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Eyeing Impeachment Inquiry, North Korea Pushes US on Denuclearization Deadline
Facing an impeachment inquiry, U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to make any new decisions on North Korea even as Pyongyang has elevated warnings to pressure Washington to grant greater concessions on stalled denuclearization talks by the end of the year, experts said.
Israel hails US, Gulf states for sanctioning Iran Guards, Hezbollah
Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday applauded the US and six Gulf states for announcing sanctions on 25 entities associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror organization.
U.S. Treasury’s Mnuchin says U.S. will ramp up pressure on Iran
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday the United States would increase economic pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, making the pledge during a Middle East trip that includes visits to U.S. allies Israel and Saudi Arabia.
US still pressing Turkey to nix Russian missile purchase, official says
The United States is still in talks with Turkey to get Ankara to ‘walk away’ from the Russian missile defense system it bought, a senior State Department official said on Friday, but warned Turkey that the risk of sanctions over the issue persisted.
Trump Lifts US Sanctions on Turkey, Says Ceasefire Northeastern Syria Permanent
President Donald Trump says a U.S. brokered ceasefire in Turkey’s assault on Kurds in northeastern Syria has become permanent and Washington is lifting sanctions imposed on Ankara.
Pence says Erdogan knows Trump ‘says what he means’ after Syria cease-fire
Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News in an exclusive interview Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘knows President Trump says what he means what he says’ about Trump’s threat to slap sanctions on Turkey if its military defies the terms of a cease-fire meant to halt Ankara’s offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
Iran’s Economy to Shrink 9.5 Percent This Year Amid Tighter US Sanctions, Says IMF
Iran’s economy is expected to shrink by 9.5 percent this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, down from a previous estimate of a six percent contraction, as the country feels the impact of tighter US sanctions.
US Sanctions Turkey, Seeks Halt to Syria Offensive
U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring Turkey to stop its offensive in northern Syria with calls for a cease-fire and sanctions against Turkish officials, as he plans to send a delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence to Ankara for talks to resolve the situation.
US calls for historic NATO sanctions on Turkey
NATO powers might sanction Turkey over the assault on U.S. partners that has ‘resulted in the release of many dangerous ISIS detainees,’ Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.
UK experts in Iran to upgrade heavy water reactor
A team of British experts arrived in Iran on Monday to begin work to upgrade the Arak heavy water nuclear reactor, the UK embassy in Tehran said.