With Joe Biden’s inauguration less than one week away, the Trump administration is still determined to ratchet up its “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.
On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced sanctions on companies in Iran, the UAE, and China for doing business with an Iranian shipping line. The measures targeted seven companies and two individuals for shipping steel either to or from Iran.
Pompeo also announced sanctions on three other Iranian companies over alleged weapons proliferation.
The latest sanctions come just two days after the US announced sanctions against two foundations tied to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
While sanctions against Iran have steadily increased over the past few years, the pressure was turned up after it became clear President Trump would not serve a second term, and sanctions have been added weekly since November. The Trump administration hopes to make it as difficult as possible for Joe Biden to return to diplomacy with Iran and revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
President Trump’s envoy for Iran, Elliot Abrams, explained the strategy back in November. He said it would be “tragic and foolish” if the Biden administration gave up “leverage” on Iran by lifting sanctions.
Who is worse—Trump, Pompeo, or Abrams?
They are the “axis of evil”. They are a continuation of Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, Bolton, Nuland, Killary etc.
It’s obvious Trump has given Pompeo free reign to do whatever the f*ck he wants. Trump is too busy whining and pouting about losing his crown.
Trump is trying to win over Israel for some reason. Does Cuba defend Palestinians?
Elliot Abrams: “it would be “tragic and foolish” if the Biden administration gave up “leverage” on Iran by lifting sanctions.”
What leverage?
Iran has been under sanctions for almost 4 decades. They became more resistant & resilient under economic hardship.
They only learned to become more self-sufficient, depend less on foreign powers for their needs or protection. But also, is projecting more power & influence in that region today than ever before in modern times!
It seems as though the sanctions have only strengthen this ancient nation.
Abrams is an idiot…!
Iran has become more resistant and resilient. I wish the same were true for Iraq, North Korea, Cuba and other nations sanctioned by the USA and many of its allies. I wish the foreign companies Trump is sanctioning would refuse to do business with the USA.
It’d be tough for Cuba to develop all industries to become somewhat self reliant. Cuba is too small. Iran is larger with greater resources.
Iraq could trade with Iran, but Israel seems inclined to blow up any investment capital. Societies cant grow if their productive capital is destroyed rather than accumulated with time.
“Israel seems inclined to blow up any investment capital” what they can, or have to…noone has destroyed ME infrastructure like the US has, it is the mission.
In Syria, wasnt some of the destruction under Trump targeted at removing ISIS?
In the 2016 campaign trump promised to carpet bomb ISIS cities. Carpet bombing was a tad too radical for Langley, so, artillery was used. “Destroying the caliphate” was a nice moniker for destroying the infrastructure which supported mostly sunni refugees. Once done, trump pulled out the artillery and its support, claiming he was lowering troop levels.
I had expected he’d work with Assad to defeat ISIS. So, Assad wasn’t in favour of this artillery, and you say the victims were mostly refugees. And you believe aid should be sent to rebuild Syria. I did expect Trump would attack ISIS. I did not expect he’d turn against Assad so strongly afterwards. I don’t understand what alternative is expected to exist.
It’s interesting that Lebanon currently wants to throw out Iran, some in Lebanon. And China is looking at greater influence in and near the US. So, hopefully the conflicts in the Middle East will end soon…
Size is irrelevant; Albania was entirely self sufficient during Enver Hoxha
Size is why the US, China, and India benefit tremendously from protectionist trade. Every resource and supplier has to be made or makeable domestically to benefit.
Albania must have done without a great many things, but maybe they’re all luxuries in a way.
Removing Saddam certainly empowered Iran.
Yes, the Persians have gained self-sufficiency due to sanctions, . . Hey, perhaps the U.S ought to be sanctioned?
I won’t buy coke or Pepsi; therefore they will declare bankruptcy in 6 months