Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[yota691]

Central Iranian: the unification of the exchange rate is definitely coming

The governor of the Central Bank of Iran announced that the unification of the exchange rate of the riyal against foreign currencies (official and free) is definitely coming, and that the price is moving towards equilibrium after about two months of volatility.

"The exchange market is under its own conditions and the central bank is supervising this process," said Waleedallah Saif in a statement issued by Fares.

Saif stressed the inevitability of the unification of the exchange rate and its activation in the near term, indicating that the delay of unification comes because of some problems in international communication between banks.

It is noteworthy that Iran adopts two mechanisms for the exchange rate of riyals against foreign currencies, the free and official market, where the US dollar currently at market price 45 thousand riyals and the official price 36.5 thousand riyals.

Iran, Central Bank, exchange rate

[yota691]

Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations: The ban contradicts the right of peoples to progress

NEW YORK, February 2 (Xinhua) - 
Ambassador and Assistant Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Ishaq Al-Habib, said that instability is an element of increasing poverty in the world, stressing that the economic embargo is an obstacle to achieving sustainable development and contradicts the right of peoples to progress.

In spite of the positive steps being taken at the global level to combat poverty, a large number of people in various regions of the world still live in extreme poverty, Al-Habib said during his speech at the 56th meeting of the UN Social Development Committee. 
He pointed to the existence of armed conflicts and instability, especially in the Middle East, pointing to the impact of these conflicts in the situation of poverty, especially for women and children. 
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations stressed that the importance and priority of combating poverty in the field of social development should not become a tool for political pressure. 
Al-Habib pointed to the imposition of unjust economic measures and unilateralism against some countries. He added that imposing unjustified economic embargoes prevents access to sustainable development goals and contradicts the right of peoples to achieve progress.
He pointed out that the Islamic Republic of Iran, through various means, has followed the implementation of anti-poverty programs within the framework of the Sixth National Development Plan as well as in the framework of programs and other projects and ratified laws in this area. 
The Iranian ambassador referred to some successful experiences of the Iranian Islamic public, such as the establishment of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and the Baraka Foundation to help the needy, orphans and families with limited means and improve the economic activities of the family. 
Finished

[Pitcher]

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/23707.aspx

[murd11]

The U.S. has paid enough. It"s time for some payback, as in a RV

[yota691]

US Ambassador to the United Nations: It is time for the Security Council to move against Iran

Posted by AFP

Date: 9:08 AM, February 16

 

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nicky Hayley said on Thursday that "the time has come for the Security Council to act against Iran" after publishing a report by UN experts that Iran violated the United Nations embargo on sending weapons to Yemen.

The report, which was presented to the UN Security Council in January, said the experts "knew of missile remnants associated with military equipment and air-to-air military vehicles from an Iranian origin entered into Yemen after the arms embargo" in 2015.

"This report highlights what we said months ago, Iran illegally transferred weapons, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions," Hailey said in a statement.

"The world can not continue to leave these flagrant violations without a response," and Tehran must bear the "consequences."

Iran has strongly denied arming the Houthis, accusing the United States ambassador to the United Nations last month of providing "fabricated" evidence that a rocket fired on Riyadh on November 4 was Iranian-made.

Hailey told the UN Security Council in December that the United States would push for action against Iran over rocket attacks targeting its ally Saudi Arabia, but Russia immediately announced it would not agree to such plans.

Yemen, one of the poorest Arab countries, has been embroiled in a conflict and intervention by a Saudi-led coalition since March 2015 in support of President Abdurbo Mansour Hadi's government.

More than 8750 people have been killed in the war in Yemen, which the United Nations has said is witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis.

[yota691]

Nasrallah: Trump sees Iraq oil fields and must be paid attention

 

 Since 2018-02-16 at 17:42 (Baghdad time)

Mawazine News - Follow up

The Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday, that the administration of US President Donald Trump sees Iraq with oil eyes and all its positions are based on this basis, while pointing out that the US occupation maintains the remaining presence of the "dodder" in Syria and prevent others Of his elimination.

Sayyed Nasrallah said in a speech during the commemoration of the "martyrs leaders" that "there is a battle of oil and gas run by Washington from East Euphrates to Iraq and the Gulf and the Gulf," stressing that "Trump administration sees Iraq with oil eyes and all its positions are based on purely oil approaches" .

He added that "the whole region has entered publicly in the heart of the oil and gas battle, and the issue of Lebanon is not a separate issue from the region as a whole," pointing out that "greed and greed typify the American administration is not ashamed to manifest it, and Israel is trying to exploit Trump management and Arab weakness To obtain an American decision to annex the Golan to its entity. "

He added that "some Arab and foreign leaders talk about oil and gas wealth in Syria and this is one of the causes of the conflict," adding that "the US occupation maintains the remaining presence of a low in Syria and prevent others from eliminating it, and the survival of the American occupation in Syria because the wells Oil and gas in the east of the Euphrates. "

[TOMINVEGAS]

On 12/2/2017 at 2:33 AM, yota691 said:

Trump pursues Maliki's crimes against Iraqis namely squandering USD 35bln

November 30 2017 06:28 PM

Nouri al-Maliki

 

 

US President Donald Trump is following the financial crimes of former prime minister Nouri al Maliki as well as his cooperation with Iran, well-informed sources at the US administration told The Baghdad Post on Thursday.
The sources added that Trump is studying Maliki's crimes against Iraqi people including ignoring Iran's violations in which Tehran looted 17 billion dollars of Iraq's oil revenues (14 percent of the annual revenues). This money enabled Mullah's regime to avoid international sanctions imposed against Tehran.
Trump is also following up Maliki's financial support system" rel="">support to Hezbollah with 18 billion dollars, the sources underlined.
The sources also said that eyewitnesses including former Iraqi finance minister Baqir Jabr Al-Zubeidi raised to Trump a number of document that criminalize Maliki and his regime.

I wonder how this is going....

[yota691]

Iranian newspaper reveals a secret letter from Trump to Iran

 

 Twilight News    
 5 hours ago

Shafak News / The newspaper "Joan" of the conservative movement of Iran's refusal to mediate the Sultanate of Oman to negotiate with the United States of America. 
The "Joan" published a report under the title "Tehran rejects the Trump government's secret message to negotiate with Iran." 
In addition to US pressure on Iran in recent months, the US government has offered Trump an offer to negotiate with Iran through secret channels. 
The German Foreign Minister, Zygmar Gabriel, asked the United States to open direct channels of communication with Iran to address US concerns over the Iranian nuclear deal and after the German request, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visited Oman and met Sultan Qaboos and Omani Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi, and from there the Oman Canal was activated. " According to the newspaper.
The newspaper "Joan" and confirmed the refusal of the Supreme Council of the Iranian national security of any negotiations, "she said:" Iran has rejected the US offer for negotiations; because of the positions of Trump 's nuclear agreement, and the Council of the Iranian National Security Supreme rejects any kind of direct negotiations with the United States of America. " 
In Earlier, the head of the Office of the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution, Mohammed Kalpakani, revealed a secret message sent by CIA chief Mike Pompeo to the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani. 
Iran has declared its refusal to reopen the nuclear program or negotiations on Iran's missile program.

Keywords: 

[MyLadiesDaddy]

10 minutes ago, yota691 said:

Iranian newspaper reveals a secret letter from Trump to Iran

They reject his attempt to negotiate with them, 

More likely it was a short letter that read, STFU or I'll SYTFU. 

[yota691]

Washington lists 7 pro-Saddam organizations on the terrorism list

- 2/28/2018 8:48:00 AM103 Number of readings

 

 

 

 

Khandan -

The US State Department has listed 7 pro-Da'ish organizations on the terrorism list and confirmed that this step is crucial to dismantling the global organization network and preventing its organizations from obtaining resources. 

According to the US Department of State, these organizations are the Dahesh organization in West Africa, the Dahesh in the Philippines, the Dahesh in Bangladesh, the Dahesh in Somalia, the Dahesh in Tunisia, the Jund al-Khalafah in Tunisia and Egypt. Muti Group, and Muhannad Maalem and Abu Musab al-Barnawi. 

The US State Department explained that Americans are generally barred from entering into transactions with these organizations, and that their various assets and interests under the jurisdiction of the United States are frozen. 

The provision of material support or resources to such organizations knowingly, attempting to do so or conspiring to do so is a crime.

According to the Foreign Ministry, these inscriptions form part of a broader comprehensive plan to defeat "Dahesh", which made significant progress in coordination with the International Alliance. 

The coordinator of anti-terrorism efforts, Nathan Siles, stressed that these listings target the main organizations and leaders loyal to "Daash" outside the area that was destroyed in Iraq and Syria, according to channel (RT). 

"These measures represent a crucial step in dismantling the Da'ash network and preventing its organizations from obtaining the resources they need to plan and commit terrorist attacks," said Sainles.

[yota691]

 

US Treasury pledges to increase sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guards

12:06

Last updated

The time now is 12:12 AM

189

Watch

 

 

 

Follow - up / Tomorrow 's Press: 
pledged Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Sigal Mendel Carr, Allum Saturday, up sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and all who is involved in the financing of what she described as "malicious Tehran activities" in the Middle East.
"In order to defeat Iran's malicious activities, we have worked to maximize the impact of our national sanctions through our joint international action by sending clear messages to the US private sector that there is no transparency that can be talked about by dealing with Iran," said Mandel Carr, That "there are several shortcomings in mechanisms to stop money laundering, and counter terrorism financing systems." 
"The Revolutionary Guard has a wide presence in the Iranian economy, which is hidden by a low level of transparency," Mandel Carr warned the private sector of the "risks surrounding its investments in Iran." 
"The companies operating in Iran face high risks and those will be held accountable for working with the IRGC or others who finance the malicious activities of Iran."

[yota691]

Trump extends national emergency against Iran for one year

Readers

 

 

Trump extends national emergency against Iran for one year

 

13-03-2018 02:21 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

US President Donald Trump has decided to extend sanctions against Tehran and its nuclear program. 

"The policy and actions of the Iranian government, including the development of ballistic missiles, support for international terrorism and human rights violations, continue to pose an extraordinary threat to national security, foreign policy and the American economy," Donald Trump told the White House press office. 

Trump added that for this reason he decided to extend the state of national emergency against Tehran imposed by executive decrees in 1995, 2010 and 2012-2013 for one year, Trump announced that he sent a letter to the US Congress. 

The US president recalled Iran's agreement with the five plus one group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on a comprehensive joint action plan aimed at ensuring peaceful Iran's nuclear program. The plan calls for restrictions on uranium enrichment and full abandonment of nuclear weapons. The signing of this agreement led to the US decision of January 16, 2016 lifting sanctions on Iran associated with its nuclear activities. 

"Regardless of the fact that this resolution represents a radical change of our policy toward Tehran, the comprehensive sanctions imposed on it and non-nuclear weapons are still in force," the US president said. 

The administration of the US President has decided at the beginning of this year to extend the freezing of sanctions imposed on Iran in accordance with the nuclear agreement with them, noting Trump's intention to extend its suspension for the last time. 

On October 13, 2017, the US president announced his new tough strategy toward Iran, which refuses to confirm Iran's implementation of the agreement on its nuclear program and its insistence on amendments, warning that otherwise the United States will withdraw from it.

[Butifldrm]

Trump Fires Rex Tillerson Over Iran Disagreement; Replaces Him With CIA Chief Mike Pompeo

by Tyler Durden

Tue, 03/13/2018 - 08:49

94

SHARES

TwitterFacebookRedditEmailPrint

 

Update 3:

President Trump tells reporters that he and Tillerson disagreed on Iran, that he made the North Korea decision himself and thinks Tillerson will be "much happier now."

Meanwhile, according to Steve Goldstein, undersecretary for public diplomacy, said Rex Tillerson wanted to stay. "The Secretary had every intention of staying, because of critical progress made in national security," Goldstein said. "He will miss his colleagues at the Department of State and the foreign ministers that he’s worked with throughout the world."

The official added that Tillerson didn't get to speak with President Trump and doesn't know why. "The Secretary did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason," he said. "He is grateful for the opportunity to serve and believes public service is a noble calling. He wishes secretary-designate Pompeo well."

* * *

Update 2:

Confirming the WaPo's reporting, a senior administration official told CNN that President Trump asked Tillerson to step aside on Friday.“POTUS thought it was the right time for the transition with the upcoming North Korea talks and various trade negotiations. POTUS asked Tillerson to step aside on Friday."

CNN also notes that president Trump has wanted Mike Pompeo as his secretary of state for months now, and the White House began planning for him to take this job last fall.

Trump’s anger at Tillerson after it leaked that he called him “a moron” never subsided, and many in the White House saw their differences as irreconcilable.

Tillerson had few, if any, allies left in the West Wing. Though Chief of Staff John Kelly was initially on his side when he took over, he eventually grew weary of defending him — especially after the “moron” remark, which Kelly saw as insubordination on Tillerson’s part.

Ultimately, according to sources close to the President "it was clear Tillerson didn’t support Trump." They say Tillerson wanted to handle foreign policy his own way, without the President. Trump didn’t feel that Tillerson backed him, source says.

*  *  *

Update 1:

  Mike Pompeo has issued the following brief statement sent to the press, saying he was "grateful" to have worked for the CIA.

"I am deeply grateful to President Trump for permitting me to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and for this opportunity to serve as Secretary of State. His leadership has made America safer and I look forward to representing him and the American people to the rest of the world to further America’s prosperity.

Serving alongside the great men and women of the CIA, the most dedicated and talented public servants I have encountered, has been one of the great honors of my life. I am proud of the work we have done on behalf of America and know that the Agency will continue to thrive under the leadership of Gina Haspel.

If confirmed, I look forward to guiding the world’s finest diplomatic corps in formulating and executing the President’s foreign policy. In my time as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, I have worked alongside many remarkable Foreign Service officers and Department of State leaders serving here in the United States and on the very edge of freedom. I know I will learn from them and, as President Trump set out in his State of the Union Address, work hard to ensure that 'our nation will forever be safe and strong and proud and mighty and free.'"

*  *  *

Earlier:

Back in December we asked "Will CIA Director Mike Pompeo Replace Rex Tillerson As Secretary Of State?" The answer, as of moments ago, is yes. Moments ago, the WaPo first reported, and then President Trump tweeted, that he has ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, launching a major change to his national security team amid delicate negotiations with North Korea.

 

Donald J. Trump

 

✔@realDonaldTrump

 

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!

7:44 AM - Mar 13, 2018

•  
  30K
•  
  27.9K people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

 

 

Tillerson had learned his fate last Friday, according to the Washington Post, when Trump asked Tillerson to step aside, causing the embattled top diplomat cut short his trip to Africa on Monday to return to Washington, using illness as an alibi.

Mike Pompeo will replace the former Exxon CEO at the State Department, while Gina Hapsel — the deputy director at the CIA — will Pompeo at the CIA, becoming the first woman to run the spy agency, if confirmed.

According to WaPo, the president — who has long clashed will Tillerson, who he believes is “too establishment” in his thinking — felt it was important to make the change now, as he prepares for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as upcoming trade negotiations, three White House officials said.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Tillerson's announcement comes just hours after the now former Secretary of State said that Russia is "clearly" behind the Skripal poisoning which "will trigger a response", something he said when he already knew he was on the way out, prompting some to ask if this was an outburst meant to provoke Trump: after all Tillerson had nothing to lose at this point.

In a statement issued to The Washington Post, Trump praised both Pompeo and Haspel.

“I am proud to nominate the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Mike Pompeo, to be our new Secretary of State,” Trump said. “Mike graduated first in his class at West Point, served with distinction in the U.S. Army, and graduated with Honors from Harvard Law School. He went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives with a proven record of working across the aisle.”

The president continued, “Gina Haspel, the Deputy Director of the CIA, will be nominated to replace Director Pompeo and she will be the CIA’s first-ever female director, a historic milestone. Mike and Gina have worked together for more than a year, and have developed a great mutual respect.”

Trump also had words of praise for Tillerson: “Finally, I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service. A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months, and I wish him and his family well.”

“I am deeply grateful to President Trump for permitting me to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and for this opportunity to serve as Secretary of State,” Pompeo said in a statement. “His leadership has made America safer and I look forward to representing him and the American people to the rest of the world to further America’s prosperity. Serving alongside the great men and women of the CIA, the most dedicated and talented public servants I have encountered, has been one of the great honors of my life.”

Haspel in a statement also said she was excited for her promotion.

“After 30 years as an officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, it has been my honor to serve as its Deputy Director alongside Mike Pompeo for the past year,” she said. “I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity, and humbled by his confidence in me, to be nominated to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.”

Finally, if it is Trump's intention to keep crushing the dollar with every incremental announcement, he is succeeding.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-13/trump-fires-rex-tillerson-replaces-him-cia-chief-mike-pompeo

[Jaygo]

I think this is a mistake. Pompeo is from my home state Kansas. He  never did anything good here so what is he going to do higher up?

bash away 

[yota691]

Interesting....

Iran declares its "inability" to allocate a budget to its Revolutionary Guards

 Thursday, March 15 2018 at 21:43 PM (Views 695)

Iran declares its "inability" to allocate a budget to its Revolutionary Guards Follow-up / Sky Press TEHRAN (Reuters) - President Hassan Rowhani told the military leadership his government was unable to allocate a budget to the Revolutionary Guard and pay salaries to two military forces (the government army and the Guards), a member of the Iranian parliament said on Thursday."Rowhani told parliament he could not provide salaries to two military forces," Qadusi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told reporters. "The chief of staff of the armed forces, Muhammad Ali Bagheri, sent a letter to Rowhani on Jan. 13, On the financial allocations of the armed forces.
 

[Goggles]

Iran seems to have many "inabilities".  I'm sure this is on the list. 

[gregp]

8 hours ago, yota691 said:

Interesting....

Iran declares its "inability" to allocate a budget to its Revolutionary Guards

 Thursday, March 15 2018 at 21:43 PM (Views 695)

Iran declares its "inability" to allocate a budget to its Revolutionary Guards Follow-up / Sky Press TEHRAN (Reuters) - President Hassan Rowhani told the military leadership his government was unable to allocate a budget to the Revolutionary Guard and pay salaries to two military forces (the government army and the Guards), a member of the Iranian parliament said on Thursday."Rowhani told parliament he could not provide salaries to two military forces," Qadusi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told reporters. "The chief of staff of the armed forces, Muhammad Ali Bagheri, sent a letter to Rowhani on Jan. 13, On the financial allocations of the armed forces.
 

 

Great find, Yota.

The Trump train just secured another RV. Wow!

[yota691]

European countries propose tougher sanctions on Iran

 

 

Number of readings: 1786 16-03-2018 11:18 PM

 

 

16-03-2018 11:18 PM 

 

Britain, France and Germany have proposed new EU sanctions on Iran to keep the United States committed to the nuclear deal, according to a confidential document published Friday. 

The three countries are proposing sanctions against Iran over its missile program and its role in the seven-year-old war in Syria, the Reuters news agency said. 

Two sources familiar with the joint document sent to the capitals of the European Union to mobilize support for such sanctions, which will require the approval of the governments of all member states of the bloc. 

The three countries said they would target Iranians involved in the missile program and support the militias, believing that such measures were justified in accordance with the nuclear agreement with Iran. 

The disclosure comes at a time when the six major powers signing the Iranian nuclear deal in Vienna on Friday discussed with Iranian officials how much Tehran has committed to the nuclear deal.

The meeting was held at a time when the US administration has stepped up its rhetoric toward Iran. Several US institutions, such as the Pentagon and Congress, have criticized Iran's role in supporting terrorism and fueling conflicts in the region. 

Delegates from the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, the European Union and Iran arrived at the venue of the talks in Vienna, but did not make statements to the correspondents. The talks are expected to continue all day, the Associated Press reported. 

US President Donald Trump has given his European allies a 120-day deadline, which expires in May, to fix 'appalling flaws' in the nuclear deal, otherwise his country will withdraw from the deal. 

Trump said there were "terrible flaws" in the 2015 deal, such as not including sanctions on Iran's missile program and its support for armed militias in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.

Trump described the agreement during the campaign as "the worst agreement ever."

[yota691]

17-03-2018 12:47 PM

A large Iran to the forefront and Europe satisfy Trump

 

 

 

The United States has held talks with Iran and European powers in Vienna over breaches including the nuclear deal, amid a European proposal to impose new sanctions on Iran as a way to persuade Donald Trump's administration to keep the deal. 

The Iranian news agency reported that Abbas Araji, a political assistant to the Iranian foreign minister, discussed with the head of the American delegation Brian Hawk the violations that include the nuclear agreement, on the sidelines of a joint committee meeting in Vienna. 

He said the meeting of the nuclear agreement showed that there is consensus on the need for full implementation of this agreement. 

For his part, Hawk said that Washington held talks in Vienna with European powers to reach a 'supplementary' agreement to the Iranian nuclear agreement before May 12, to fill what he described as gaps in the agreement.

He stressed that the American president gave his guidance to try to reach an agreement with the European authorities in this regard, adding that there is a need to include the agreement of the various Iranian risks, including ballistic missiles. 

Trump had threatened to "pull out" of the agreement unless it was 'improved', calling for the removal of what he sees as loopholes in the 2015 agreement before May 12, the deadline given by Trump to the Europeans in January to tighten the terms of the agreement. 

European sanctions , and 
in this context , it has shown a secret document seen by Reuters that Britain, France and Germany proposed to impose new sanctions from the European Union on Iran over its ballistic missiles, and its role in the Syrian war to ensure the continuation of the United States within the nuclear agreement.

Two sources familiar with the joint document sent to the capitals of the European Union on Friday to rally support for such sanctions, which will require the approval of the governments of all member states of the bloc. 

Diplomats said EU foreign ministers would discuss the proposal at a closed-door meeting on Monday in Brussels. 

The document said Britain, France and Germany had held 'intensive talks with the Trump administration to obtain clear and consistent confirmation of US support for the (nuclear) deal after the deadline.' 

In response, Araghji said that European countries could make a big mistake in their calculations if they impose sanctions on Tehran not linked to the Iranian nuclear program to please the US president. 

Iran, which the UN nuclear watchdog says is committed to the deal, has ruled out amendments.

[yota691]

 

Iranian parliament: America has ratified 19 resolutions that violate the nuclear agreement

12:59

Last updated

01:04 PM

104

Watch

 

 

 

Follow - up / Tomorrow 's Press: 
The spokesman for the Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Iranian parliament, on Monday, that the Americans were not to have the intention to implement the nuclear agreement and obligations, has violated the agreement 19 times through the ratification of new sanctions against Iran.
"The nuclear deal was welcomed from the outset by the United Nations, the UN Security Council and the European Union, but the implementation of the agreement is not appropriate," Hossein Nqawi Hosseini said. "The day after the implementation of the nuclear agreement on January 16, 2006, the Americans imposed a ban on 11 political and real figures in Iran." 
"As the IAEA has repeatedly acknowledged in its tenth statement, Iran has fulfilled its obligations under the nuclear agreement," he said. 
He said that "
"This is a double violation of the nuclear agreement, because we have accomplished this agreement to remove the embargoes, not to impose the Americans and Europeans on Iran and to compete in this area," he said.

[yota691]

Paris sends warning to Europe .. Think carefully about Iran's role in the region

 

 

 

Number of readings: 602 19-03-2018 01:26 PM

 

 

19-03-2018 01:26 PM 

 

The European Union should discuss the role of Iran in Syria and Yemen, as well as its missile program, in a bid to maintain the nuclear deal signed with Tehran in 2015. 

French President Donald Trump told Congress and European countries Agreement until May 12 for reform by extension agreement. 

"We should not rule out Iran's role in the deployment of ballistic missiles and its questionable role in the Middle East," Le Duran told reporters on his arrival to attend a meeting with his counterparts to discuss the Iranian issue. 

Britain, France and Germany have offered to impose new EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program and its role in the Syrian war, according to a confidential document seen by Reuters.

[yota691]

Details of a US-German disagreement over the classification of Hezbollah as a terrorist

Readers

 

 

Details of a US-German disagreement over the classification of Hezbollah as a terrorist

 

22-03-2018 03:10 PM

 

The Euphrates -

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The German government has blocked European approval of a major US demand to label the Lebanese militia, not just its military wing, as a terrorist organization, as part of talks to modify Iran's nuclear deal, US sources said. 

Two sources familiar with US talks with Germany, France and the United Kingdom on tackling flaws in the nuclear deal for the Fox News website in Berlin said German Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration was "the least cooperative" of the three European powers. 

According to the sources, Germany is resisting the request of the US negotiating team and the position of President Donald Trump to punish all forms of Hezbollah because this demand, according to diplomats, is linked to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. 

The sources said that Germany is the management of Trump pro-Israel. As a result, it does not want to ban all Hezbollah, specifically the 'political wing' within its territory, where 950 members of the party collect funds and recruit members. 

Hezbollah is Iran's strategic arm in the Middle East and has played a crucial role in the killing of more than 500,000 civilians in the Syrian war. 

Europe has imposed sanctions on Hezbollah after the organized terrorist attack in Bulgaria in 2012, which killed five Israelis and a Bulgarian citizen, but the ban included the military wing of the party only. 

US officials have also met with other Europeans in London, Berlin and Paris over the past few weeks as part of efforts to modify the nuclear deal with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA). 

When a State Department spokesman was asked about Germany's position, he reiterated Tramp's demands in January. The spokesman for Fox News: They should classify Hezbollah - in its entirety - as a terrorist organization. "We are working closely with our European partners to address our common concerns with the Joint Action Plan (JCPOA) and Iran's malicious behavior. 

He added that the United States 'discussed the six regional issues identified by the President also called for stronger steps from our European allies'. 

The spokesman stressed that in addition to punishing Hezbollah as a whole as a terrorist entity, Trump wants Europeans to "cut off funding for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its agents and anyone else who contributes to Iran's support for terrorism." 

He stressed that the European allies must 'join us in restricting the development of Iranian missiles and stop the export of these missiles, especially to Yemen'. 

He also pointed out that the European countries 'must join us in the face of Iranian electronic threats, and help us to deter Iran's aggression on international navigation'. 

The spokesman also pointed out that the European powers' must pressure the Iranian regime to stop violating the rights of its citizens. They should not deal with groups that strengthen Iran's dictatorship or fund the Revolutionary Guard and its terrorist agents. " 

The growing economic ties between Tehran and Berlin are an obstacle to Merkel making concessions on the nuclear deal. German exports to Iran rose to 3.5 billion euros in 2017, an increase of about 4.3 billion dollars, up from 2.6 billion euros in 2016. 

"We are continuing fruitful talks with our European partners," the spokesman said. We discussed the areas set by the president in January, where we want to see progress, including ensuring that Iran does not approach nuclear weapons and deal with our concerns with the 'sunset' clause, which allows Iran to resume its nuclear activities after the agreement is over. " 

He also revealed that the Europeans were also urged to take strong action if Iran refused to inspect the International Atomic Energy Agency, in addition to preventing Iran from developing or testing a long-range ballistic missile. 

"The biggest flaw in the agreement is the weakness of the restrictions, which makes Iran free in the future to re-enrich industrial-scale nuclear fuel, an important step in achieving rapid nuclear weapons capability," the spokesman said. 

Trump said in January that the Europeans would have until May 12 to work with the United States to amend the nuclear deal, saying that if major powers in Europe did not commit to the end of the deadline, Washington would withdraw from the nuclear deal and re-impose comprehensive economic sanctions on the Iranian regime . 

"This is a last chance. In the absence of a commitment from our European allies to work with us to repair the flaws of the agreement, the United States will never again give up sanctions to stay in the Iranian nuclear deal. If the president sees at any time that the agreement is not within reach, the United States will withdraw from it immediately. '

[235snack]

• Reports

• play
• pause

 

US, Saudi Arabia, UAE to set up action group against Iran

March 21 2018 06:58 PM

.

Debka

 

 

Ahead of their White House talks on Tuesday, March 20, President Donald Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince agreed on a new Supreme Committee to coordinate military and diplomatic efforts for curbing Iranian expansion, according to a report published by Debka.


The United Arab Emirate is the third member. This committee, to focus on coordinated operations, will consist of the three governments’ national security advisers. For final decisions, they will call in President Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman (MbS) and the UAE Emir Sheikh Muhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ).

 

White House sources reported that the new group would be ceremonially launched in Washington this week. The Emirates national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan will come over to join the event. The emir himself is expected in Washington soon.

US and Saudi officials confirmed Tuesday that the new Supreme Committee’s mission would be to execute the goal shared by the three governments, namely, to stall Iran’s expansionist designs across the oil-rich Gulf and the Middle East.


DEBKAfile’s sources report that this move is consistent with the decision which President Trump was widely believed to have reached for taking the United States out of the 2015 nuclear with Iran.

 

Intensive discussions are taking place in the White house on timing; whether Trump should make the announcement when the next deadline for re-certificating the accord comes up in mid-May or jump the gun in March or early April. The US, the Saudis and the UAE are meanwhile checking to make sure that their military assets are in sync and ready for potential repercussions.

 

 

The new Supreme Committee will fill the cohesion void left in the Gulf Cooperation Council by the refusal of two of its members, Qatar and Oman, to go along with the tough policies pursued by Saudi Arabia and the UAE since MbS took over the reins of government in Riyadh three years ago.

[235snack]

• Reports

• play
• pause

 

US, Israel to hit Iran's nuclear sites: sources

March 22 2018 12:17 AM

US, Israel to strike Iranian nuke sites soon

 

 

 

The US and Israel are preparing for airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, informed sources told the Baghdad Post on Wednesday.

 

The strikes are mostly expected following intelligence reports confirming that the mullahs are actually preparing to increase uranium enrichment and benefit from the stockpile at the nuclear weapons industry.

 

Observers said earlier this week that the US President Donald Trump would pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the world's major powers. 

The strikes will target nine Iranian nuclear reactors, the sources said, stressing that the goal is to strip Iran of any possible nuclear power.

The sources also revealed that the United States and the forces that will participate in this strike will use the Iraqi airspace. 

The expected strike would be as intense as the Israeli strike on the Syrian atomic reactor in Deir al-Zour in 2007.

 

In a secret operation that has been extensively speculated on for a decade, Israelsaid it sent four F-16 fighters hundreds of miles into Syria on 6 September 2007, to bomb the partially completed al-Kubar facility near Deir ez-Zor, according to the Guardian.

 

Previously-classified footage, images and intelligence documents on the plan showed how Israel had monitored the site for several years and feared it could become operational within months.

 

The defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman, stopped short of suggesting the possibility of a similar strike on Iranian facilities, but made clear the 2007 attack proved Israel was willing and able to act militarily.

“The motivation of our enemies has grown in recent years, but so too the might of the (Israel Defense Forces),” he said. “Everyone in the Middle East would do well to internalise this equation.”
 

This comes after Tehran's statements to withdraw from the nuclear agreement if it does not get economic gains and continued the reluctance of major banks to work with them.

Earlier, President Hassan Rouhani ordered in 2016 to begin planning for the development of nuclear propulsion units in response to what he called the US breaches of the agreement.

Rouhani pointed to the lack of economic benefits after signing the agreement because of the reluctance of many institutions, including major Western banks, to work in his country for fear of violating US financial sanctions.

 

The report said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had asked Iran for clarifications on its intention to build naval nuclear facilities.

[Floridian]

"The US and Israel are preparing for airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, informed sources told the Baghdad Post on Wednesday."

 

Gee, what a good idea to publish this in the newspaper for all to see.  Sigh!  

 

Edited March 22, 2018 by Floridian