North Korea threatens to ‘counter’ U.S. over military drills
North Korea threatened on Saturday to ‘counter the U.S.’ if the United States holds joint military exercises with South Korea, and said it would not beg for talks with Washington.
sanctions
North Korea helping Syria manufacture chemical weapons, reports claim
North Korea has been sending equipment to Syria that could be used in the manufacturing of chemical weapons, according to a New York Times report citing United Nations experts.
Trump Admin to Reverse Obama Deal to Loosen Sanctions on Iranian Terrorists
U.S. officials are finalizing a new effort to crackdown on Iran’s top terror organization as part of an effort to reverse sweeping sanctions originally granted by the Obama administration as part of a little known deal to enrich entities tied to the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, according to sources familiar with the effort.
Russia sets stage for U.N. veto of western bid to call out Iran
Russia has laid the groundwork for a likely veto on Monday of a British, U.S. and French bid for the United Nations Security Council to call out Iran over its weapons falling into the hands of Yemen’s Houthi group.
Trump vows to continue ‘maximum pressure’ on North Korea, but keeps door open for talks
The White House responded cautiously to North Korea’s expression of interest in diplomatic talks with the U.S. Sunday, suggesting the Trump administration may be interested, but remains committed to ‘achieving the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.’
Trump administration to target North Korea with new sanctions on Friday
The Trump administration plans to announce on Friday what is being billed as the largest package of sanctions yet against North Korea to increase pressure on Pyongyang for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, a senior administration official said.
Secret Obama-Era Deal With Iran Derails Key Sanctions on Iran’s Propaganda Network
The Trump administration waived key sanctions on Iran’s main propaganda network last month, causing outrage among Iranian dissidents and administration insiders who tracked the effort to a little known Obama-era side deal with Iran that bars these sanctions from being implemented, according to multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
Abbas refuses reconciliation until Hamas cedes control of Gaza — PA ex-minister
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed not to lift the sanctions he imposed on the Gaza Strip last year and until Hamas completely cedes control over the coastal enclave, including over its weapons, a former PA minister revealed on Thursday.
Trump administration declines to apply new Russia sanctions, for now
The Trump administration said on Monday it would not immediately impose additional sanctions on Russia under a new law designed to punish Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, insisting the measure was already hitting Russian companies.
Tillerson: US may miss Iran nuclear deal deadline
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday said the U.S. may not be able fix the flaws in the Iran nuclear agreement in time to meet a White House deadline, a remark that comes shortly before talks on Iran with three European countries get underway next week.
US lawmakers aim to tighten terms of Iran nuclear deal
A bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives on Thursday aimed at tightening the terms of the Iran nuclear deal, despite Tehran’s rejection of changes to the accord.
Iran tortures and kills protesters; West mostly silent as 8,000 citizens arrested
Iran’s rulers have inflicted death by torture and gunfire on citizen protesters in a crackdown since the Dec. 28 street uprising erupted, the main opposition group said Tuesday.
Europe, Iran to meet on backing nuclear deal as Trump decision looms
Europe and Iran are to put on a united front in support of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal at talks in Brussels Thursday as Washington mulls reimposing sanctions on Tehran.
Iranian FM in Russia for talks on nuclear deal, Syria
Iran’s foreign minister is visiting Moscow for talks focusing on the future of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and the situation in Syria, where both nations support President Bashar Assad.
U.S. to decide on Iran sanctions waivers on Friday: State Department
The Trump administration is expected to decide on Friday whether to continue to waive U.S. penalties on Iran, as agreed under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the State Department said on Tuesday.
Koreas set up stunning direct bilateral talks with Trump, Olympics pressures mounting
North and South Korea are suddenly on a fast track to direct bilateral talks without the United States or China — an unexpected development at a moment of heightened tensions that intelligence sources say is being driven by several factors, including Pyongyang’s desire to sidestep Trump administration-backed sanctions.
China covertly offering North Korea missiles, aid to halt nuclear program
China’s Communist Party adopted a secret plan in September to bolster the North Korean government with increased aid and military support, including new missiles, if Pyongyang halts further nuclear tests, according to an internal party document.
How Trump could kill the Iran nuclear deal in January
President Donald Trump allowed the Iran nuclear deal to survive through 2017, but the new year will offer him another chance to blow up the agreement — and critics and supporters alike believe he may take it.
US Imposes Sanctions Against Top North Korean Weapons Makers
The United States has imposed new sanctions on two of North Korea’s key figures in its weapons program.
U.S. sanctions North Korean missile experts, Russia offers to mediate
The United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials behind their country’s ballistic missile program on Tuesday, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.