On Monday, the Trump administration announced new sanctions on Iran under the guise of enforcing stipulations of the 2015 nuclear deal, an agreement the US withdrew from in 2018. The US is taking these measures unilaterally, with virtually no international support. The move is not only rejected by the UN Security Council but also by key European allies like the UK, Germany, and France.
President Trump signed an executive order on Monday that is meant to replace a UN arms embargo on Iran that will expire in October. The executive order allows the US to impose sanctions on any individual or entity that sells weapons to Iran.
Announcing the new measures, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted on calling the new sanctions “UN sanctions,” even though a US bid to extend the embargo failed miserably in the UN Security Council. “The President’s executive order announced today gives us a new and powerful tool to enforce the UN arms embargo and hold those who seek to evade UN sanctions accountable,” Pompeo said.
The US says it has the authority to roll out these new measures under the “snapback” sanctions agreed to in the 2015 nuclear deal, which were meant to go into effect if Iran violates the agreement. But other signatories have pointed out the US is no longer a party to the deal, so Washington has no authority to enforce the UN sanctions. But these facts are not slowing down Pompeo and the rest of the administration.
The administration sanctioned 27 individuals and entities inside Iran’s nuclear, missile, and conventional arms sectors. Iran responded to the measures and said they would have no effect, accusing the US of seeking publicity.
Pompeo also announced new sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Iran and Venezuela, two countries under heavy US sanctions, are natural trading partners and have drawn the ire of Washington for their warming ties.
“For nearly two years, corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to flout the UN arms embargo. Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide: No matter who you are, if you violate the UN arms embargo on Iran, you risk sanctions,” Pompeo said.
This shameless imperial bullying would have no effect at all if the ;leaders of those nations that say they oppose it got off their knees in front of Uncle Sams open fly and ignore them. The fact they cave in merely increases the likelihood of war.
Just sanction the U.S. for putting their lives in danger. We have no worries. Europe would be hit first in any new war, whether it be with Iran, Russia, or China. Key military bases are there. Key communications centers are there.
We can sit here, all cozy, protected by two oceans and two friendly countries.
We put the lives of Europeans at stake with out actions.
Trump has to do what Netanyahu and Jared tell him to. America first, my ass…
Right on the money!
Washington’s foreign policies are in a shambles.
No wonder traditional allies are distancing themselves.
It seems China is making friends as fast as trump is making enemies these days.
Worse–America is in shambles and floundering around as it sinks deeper into economic quicksand.
Trillions for the MIC. Trillions for Wall Street. Zilch for Main Street.
We manufacture nothing, save weapons. And manufacturing that returns will not involve men and women going to work, but AI, robotics to do the manufacturing.
Complete, utter dystopia……………….
I suppose we should just add this to the things that Trump is doing to push back against the deep state. Like our recent mass selling of F-35’s to every swinging dick in the ME while calling it a peace initiative. No? How about our sanctioning half the world? Record military budget? “Friendly” relations with China and Russia? Space Force? Sitting on Syria’s oil? Killing an Iranian General? Drones, drones and more drones? I could go on and on and fuc*ing on but then I’d just be showing how my TDS has distorted my opinion of this principled man of peace and liberty. It’s just shocking that Trump has been able to survive his continued onslaught against the deep state without getting the JFK treatment.
To save you all from having to refer to the urban dictionary: Trump Delusion Syndrome… inability to find fault with Trump because you voted for him.
Nope. Inability to find fault with Trump because you are like him.
America is the Bully in the Playground we call Earth. And one day, they my be out numbered.
He walked us away for JCPOA. He has no standing to to such a thing. Full stop.
The good news is that America has never been so openly despised and disrespected by the world outside its hemorrhaging imperial bubble. I just hope it continues under the other fascist jousting for Lady Liberty’s hand in electoral matrimony. This is one place where the Trump hysteria needs to stick. More countries need to show the bravery Iran and Venezuela are showing the world right now. Solidarity is thicker than dollars.
Trump administration is in lala land…!
I doubt China and Russia will really care.