Iranian Oil Tanker Held for Six Weeks Now Under US Sanctions and Stranded at Sea
An Iranian oil tanker detained by the British in July and since released has been blacklisted by the US Treasury Department.
sanctions
US sanctions Lebanese bank used by Hezbollah, Gaza terror finance network
The Treasury Department on Thursday targeted a Lebanese bank the Trump administration calls the ‘bank of choice’ of Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, as part of a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.
U.S. Sanctions Two Networks ‘Supporting Iran’s WMD Program’
The United States has imposed sanctions on two networks it says are engaged in ‘covert procurement activities’ benefiting Iranian military organizations and supporting Iran’s ‘missile proliferation programs,’ the Treasury Department has said.
EU insists Iran nuclear deal must be part of any future pact
The European Union’s top diplomat says the Iran nuclear agreement must not be sacrificed as part of any U.S. moves to build a new and broader security deal with Tehran.
Tehran Not Open to Negotiating, Despite Economic Straits
US President Trump’s ‘maximum pressure policy’ against Iran does not seem to be persuading the Islamic Republic to come to the negotiating table.
US says anyone who ‘touches’ Iran tanker risks US sanctions
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says anyone who ‘touches,’ supports or allows an Iranian tanker carrying crude oil to dock risks U.S. sanctions.
Hezbollah and Iran taking over southern Syria
One year after the Syrian government and its allies took over southern Syria, there has been increased infiltration of the area by Iranian-supported militias along the border with Israel, an area of great geopolitical importance.
British Release Iranian Tanker After U.S. Fails in Bid to Take Over Seizure
An Iranian oil tanker held for over a month by British authorities was released Thursday, despite a legal bid by the U.S. to take over the seizure.
At the southern tip of the Red Sea, Iran poses a direct threat to Israel
As Iran seeks to intimidate its way out of US-led economic sanctions, including by seizing tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a top Israeli expert has warned that Israel would be immensely vulnerable if Tehran extends this tactic to a second strategic waterway.
US slaps Hezbollah financier with 5-year prison sentence, $50m. fine
A Lebanese businessman designated by US authorities as an important financial supporter of Hezbollah was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit $50 million, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Iranian President Warns of ‘Mother of All Wars’ If US, Britain Continue to Trifle with Iranian Oil
Iran on Tuesday declared its intention to further disrupt oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, announcing a naval drill to take place with Russia later this year in the disputed waterway.
Trump freezes all Venezuelan government assets in bid to pressure Maduro
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States on Monday, sharply escalating an economic and diplomatic pressure campaign aimed at removing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Iran says will take ‘third step’ to reduce nuclear deal commitments
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday announced that the Islamic Republic intends to take a ‘third step’ to reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement, according to parliamentary news agency ICANA cited by Reuters.
Iran Seizes Third Foreign Ship in Less Than Month
Iran seized a foreign oil tanker and its seven crew members in the Persian Gulf last week, state media reported Sunday, the third time the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained a ship in less than a month.
US imposes financial sanctions on Iran’s foreign minister
The United States on Wednesday imposed financial sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, as part of its escalating campaign of pressure against the Islamic Republic.
US to extend Iran nuclear sanctions waivers
The Trump administration will reportedly announce the renewal of sanctions waivers this week allowing foreign firms to work on Iran’s civil nuclear program.
Judge dismisses DNC lawsuit against Trump campaign, Russia over election interference
A federal judge in New York on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) alleging that the Trump campaign, WikiLeaks and the Russian government had conspired to interfere in the 2016 election.
Britain Begins Escorting All UK Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz
Britain has started sending a warship to accompany all British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a change in policy announced Thursday after the government previously said it did not have resources to do so.
Iranian President Hints At Possible Tanker Swap With Britain, Talks With U.S.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani has hinted that Tehran is open to a possible tanker swap with Britain and indirect talks with the United States over its nuclear program and sanctions.
US House overwhelmingly passes anti-BDS resolution
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday that rejects the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, after some Democrats expressed concern last week that the measure could cause infighting within the party leading up to the 2020 election.