US Announces Yet More Iran Sanctions
Moves Come Just Ahead of Latest Talks
With Iran expressing a more conciliatory attitude and Turkey making a serious effort to negotiate a serious third party enrichment deal that will satisfy all those involved, the Obama Administration has responded, as so often before, with a new round of sanctions.
The latest series of sanctions were announced by the Treasury Department today and target Iran’s largest shipping comapny. Officials say the move proves they remain “serious” about moving against Iran even if they are willing to talk.
Taken in the context of the Obama Administration forever threatening to invade Iran, however, the addition of more measures is likely to be taken more as an unwillingness to negotiate, particularly given that the last time Iran agreed to third party enrichment, the US not only reneged on the deal but condemned Iran for accepting it.
The last round of talks in Geneva was lauded by officials as progress entirely because it netted this upcoming set of talks in Turkey, but the administration also said the fact that Iran agreed to the second round of talks proved they were “stalling,” meaning that whether they agree to the talks or not, or agree to a deal or not, the administration is going to spin it as an excuse for more sanctions.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012
the lion
December 21st, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Lets see, is it when Someone threatens you with menaces if you dont do as they say, when they dont have a RIGHT under law (in this case INternational law) to do so legally known as EXTORTION.
Do as we say or we will sanction you, and even if you do as we say we will sanction you anyway, and the United States WONDERS why Iran ignores them, and Madam Secretary of State wonders why the Iranian Foreign Minister turned his back on her even when she called after him.
theothercanada
December 21st, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Evil's appetite for blood of those who resist it has no boundaries. Go Iran go!
MoT
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 am
No surprise. You can't please someone who is bent on destroying you.
Andrew
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:19 am
As with Iraq, regime change is the objective. The nuclear BS is the means to that end.
Roger Lafontaine
December 22nd, 2010 at 6:22 am
Let's see: Nothing's been proven. No evidence has been brought forward, nothing but fanciful fears about the possibility that sometime in the future they may possibly acquire the means to be able to build a bomb, of which by the way, we have them in the 1000's ourselves. No nothing at all but our overblown fears, yes, that's enough reason to impose punishment for noncrimes that may possibly be committed at some future date if ever they chose to pursue that path.
liveload
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:12 am
They're getting hung up on the talks centered around beginning discussions aimed at generating dialog geared towards finding common ground upon which to hold a summit that should gravitate towards negotiations who's goal is to move forward with talks. Makes sense now.
davy
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:43 pm
1,2
Eve Primm
December 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Iran's predicament is even worse than that. No amount of diplomacy by Iran can change america's course because america has promised to destroy whomever and / or whatever israel wants destroyed as a matter of policy (and through recent legislation, law). This leaves Iran in a precarious spot.
Since the rogue 'state' of israel wants Iran destroyed, there is nothing Iran can do to appease israel's hit-man, the u.s. Like the hit-men in american movies, once they've accepted the contract, they cannot be befriended or deterred.
It should be noted, however, that Iran does have some friends who are not easily cowed by the americans or america's israeli masters. Iran's valuable business (and other) relations with China and Russia may ultimately prove to be impediments to the israeli driven american machine. Perhaps, one day soon, Iran's allies will stand in the gap and put a stop to this dangerous and ever-escalating situation.
Your comment gets a 'thumbs-up'.
John_Mohammad
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Israel doesn't want peace in the Middle East = US doesn't want peace in the Middle East.
Iran has bent over backward to accommodate Western fears and prejudices, only to have more of the same heaped upon them. No matter what they do, it will be 1941 all over again: just as we goaded Japan into opening hostilities against us, we will goad the Iranians until they've had a bellyful and unload on us with disastrous consequences for both sides.
If people would just THINK for a minute, they'd realize that Iran- not Israel- is one of our best natural allies in that region. Internal politics aside, they want the same things we want- peace, prosperity, and security- and are doing their best to secure those for their people. Who were the first to march in the streets in support of the US following 9/11? Iranians. Instead of alienating Iran, we should be courting them- even as enemies they've treated us far better than our present partner-in-crime, Israel.
MoT
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 pm
This pathetic dog and pony show that America regularly trots out would be comical if it weren't so deadly.