Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[Butifldrm]

UN Security Council to meet over Iran missile test

 

 

BY EMILY BIRNBAUM - 12/04/18 12:33 PM EST 19

  

 

 

The United Nations Security Council plans to meet Tuesday to discuss Iran's recent missile test, which U.S. officials say was conducted in "defiance" of a U.N. resolution restricting the country's missile program.

France and the U.K. over the weekend requested a U.N. Security Council meeting after Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile, which can reportedly reach Europe and anywhere in the Middle East.

"Iran’s recent ballistic missile test was dangerous and concerning, but not surprising," outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in a statement Tuesday.

"If the Security Council is serious about holding Iran accountable and enforcing our resolutions, then at a minimum we should be able to deliver a unanimous condemnation of this provocative missile test," Haley added.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned the missile test, calling it a violation of the U.N. resolution 2231. The resolution endorses the 2015 multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran and bans Iran from working on technology to create ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear weapons.

"We are accumulating risk of escalation in the region if we fail to restore deterrence," Pompeo said in the statement.

White House national security adviser John Bolton also said Saturday that Iran's behavior would not "be tolerated."

Iran has maintained that the test was purely defensive.

A high-ranking Iranian military official on Tuesday said that Tehran will continue to expand the range of its missile program, according to Reuters.

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have intensified under the Trump administration following Trump's decision to leave the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. 

The Obama-era deal rolled back sanctions against Tehran in exchange for a reduction in the country's nuclear abilities. Pompeo has been working to convince Germany, France and the U.K. to follow the U.S.'s lead in leaving the deal.

The U.S. last month finished reimposing the sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 deal, ramping up financial pressure against the regime. 

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/419654-un-security-council-to-meet-over-iran-missile-test

[dinarham]

You don't want to piss off an aircraft carrier.

[Synopsis]

5 hours ago, Butifldrm said:

Spiritual Economy : If we do not export oil, no country can export it from the Gulf

 

Maybe it is just me but it sure looks like the Insanians are doing this:

 

 

To The True The United States Of America Patriot American Eagle!!!

 

I'm pretty sure The True The United States Of America Patriot American Eagle WILL PREVAIL WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER!!!

 

Buh Bye Insanians!!!       

 

In The Mean Time................................................................

 

Go Moola Nova (YEAH AND YEE HAW, BABY, READY WHEN YOU ARE BROTHER (OR SISTER) - LET 'ER BUCK!!!)!!!

   

[yota691]

[PDF]

Iran Sanctions - Federation Of American Scientists

 

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS20871.pdf

1.  
2.  

Iran Sanctions Updated November 28, 2018

[yota691]

UN Security Council Meets To Debate New Iran Missile Test

December 04, 2018 03:59 GMT

---

A Sayyad 2 missile is fired during drills in an undisclosed location in Iran on November 5.

Share

•  
•  
•  

 Print

The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors to discuss Iran's latest missile test, which the United States and other allies said may have been in violation of a 3-year-old council resolution.

The December 4 meeting comes amid growing concern about Iran's missile programs

France has described the weekend test as "provocative and destabilizing" and said it did not "conform" with UN Resolution 2231, which was passed in 2015 as part of the landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and Western powers.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt also called the test "provocative, threatening, and inconsistent" with the resolution and said London was determined "that it should cease."

Iran says its missile program is defensive and not aimed at building an arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles.

On December 3, the U.S. special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, urged the European Union to impose new sanctions on Iran, calling the program a "grave and escalating threat."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier said the ballistic missile was capable of carrying multiple warheads and striking parts of Europe and the entire Middle East.

The United States in May said it was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and moving to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran, angering Washington's European allies.

With reporting by AFP

[yota691]

Iran missile tests may breach UN resolution, France and UK warn

[yota691]

Iranian Bitcoin sanctions set new precedent

by Michael Kern

 

December 4, 2018

 

•  

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted two bitcoin addresses, announcing that the wallets associated Iranian citizens Ali Khorashadizadeh and Mohammad Ghorbaniyan had been added to the Specially Designated Nationals sanctions list.

The sanctions, which are the first of their kind, are part of a wider move to track and restrict movements in the digital space involving money laundering and cybercrime.

Additionally, the OFAC noted that the agency would be looking into exchanges who facilitated transactions by these individuals, stating “We are publishing digital currency addresses to identify illicit actors operating in the digital currency space. Treasury will aggressively pursue Iran and other rogue regimes attempting to exploit digital currencies and weaknesses in cyber and AML/CFT safeguards to further their nefarious objectives.”

The cause for the sanctions, according to the OFAC, was that Khorashadizadeh and Ghorbaniyan were involved in malicious SamSam ransomware attacks.

In addition to the sanctions placed on Khorashadizadeh and Ghorbaniyan, it is noted that two others, Faramarz Shahi Savandi, and Mohammad Mehdi Shah Mansouri had been officially charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit fraud related to computers, and other counts accusing them of intentionally damaging protected computers and illegally transmitting demands related to protected computers.

The SamSam ransomeware has impacted over 200 victims to date, including hospitals, corporations, universities and government facilities.

In an interview with CoinDesk Ghorbaniyan explained, “I didn’t know the SamSam criminal activities were associated with the bitcoins I received from these two customers and I’m honestly still not sure if these two people are behind the SamSam crimes.” Adding, “I do a standard know-your-customer (KYC) procedure. And there’s no reason to be suspicious of my customers once they do KYC.”

Sanctions Set a New Precedent

Though Khorashadizadeh and Ghorbaniyan were targeted for potential involvement in criminal activities, the U.S. Treasury Department’s move sets a new precedent in the crypto-sphere.

With Iran currently reeling from wider economic sanctions from the U.S., and bitcoin usage on the rise in the Middle-Eastern country, it is possible that these actions could be the first of many. And the consequences for exchanges caught in the crossfire could be severe.

“As Iran becomes increasingly isolated and desperate for access to U.S. dollars, it is vital that virtual currency exchanges, peer-to-peer exchangers, and other providers of digital currency services harden their networks against these illicit schemes,” explained Sigal Mandelker, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Takes Aim at Privacy Coins

In addition to the push to crack down on illicit bitcoin transactions, authorities are also looking at ways to reign in privacy coins such as Monero and Zcash, according to a new PreSolicitation.

“A key feature underlying these newer blockchain platforms that is frequently emphasized is the capability for anonymity and privacy protection. While these features are desirable, there is similarly a compelling interest in tracing and understanding transactions and actions on the blockchain of an illegal nature,” the PreSolicitation states.

The notice suggests that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering the development of a forensics tool which will allow the agency to monitor, track and identify users of a number of privacy coins, much like Chainalysis has done with the Bitcoin blockchain.

[Butifldrm]

Baghdad Post Wednesday, 05 December 2018 11:28 p

 

In response to threats «Rohani» .. America: «Hormz» an international corridor and we will ensure freedom of navigation in it

 

 

 

After repeating Iran's threats to prevent the export of oil if it is prevented from doing so, the American response, in turn, reflected Washington's positions, rejecting any confusion in the navigation movement and responding to Iran's provocations in the region. 
US Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hook said the United States would continue to work with regional partners to ensure freedom of navigationin the Strait of Hormuz. 
"Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," Hawk said. The strait is considered an international maritime corridor, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure continued navigation and free movement of goods through international maritime lanes. 
Hawk's stance came in response to remarks made by Iranian President Hassan Rowhani earlier in the day. "Preventing Iran from exporting oil would mean preventing the entire region from doing so," he said. 
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of HormuzTo export oil if the United States moves forward with tougher sanctions.

Count

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/135948/ردا-على-تهديدات-روحاني-أمريكا-هرمز-ممر-دولي-وسنضمن-حرية-الملاحة-فيه

[DoD]

So does the USA the only country that uses the Straight of Hormuz? I would think not so where are the ships from Japan, China, England etc. this is the part where a lot of Americans get tired an worn out. 

Trump needs to send the bill to the UN for policing this straight if the rest of the world wants their oil to continue. 

[yota691]

The financial director of Huawei, Canada, was arrested for violating sanctions on Iran

 

Arab and international Economy News _ Baghdad Canada has arrested Huawei's chief financial officer in Vancouver, where she faces the prospect of being deported to the United States on suspicion of violating US sanctions on Iran, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.  An informed source said the arrest was linked to the violation of US sanctions. Reuters could not verify the nature of the violations.  Meng Wanzo, a board member and daughter of its founder, Rensheng, was arrested on December 1 and sets a date for Friday to appear before the court, a Justice Department spokesman said.  Huawei confirmed Meng's arrest in a statement and said she had not received enough information about the charges against her. She was not "aware of any violation committed by Ms. Meng". Number of views 8   Date added 06/12/2018

[yota691]

The arrest of the CFO of Hwawei in Canada

 

 06 December 2018 10:58 p
Direct : police forces in Canada arrested the financial officer within Huawei, where it is scheduled to be delivered to the United States.

Meng Wanzhu, financial president of Huawei and the daughter of the founder of China's telephone maker, was arrested by police in Canada on December 1.

Canada's Justice Department said a hearing of Huawei's official was set up on Friday, saying it would not be able to give further details.

Although the details of the investigation have yet to be announced, the United States is investigating possible abuses by the company of US sanctions against Iran.

The Chinese Embassy in Canada protested the decision, demanding the release of Wanzhou.

Huawei has said it has little information on the charges and has no understanding of the charges against Meng Wanzhou.

Huawei has confirmed that it is complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including export control laws and regulations and the laws of the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.

The accusations come at a very sensitive time as relations between China and the United States are strained as the two countries enter into a trade war that has only begun to calm this week by announcing a 90-day trade truce.

[Butifldrm]

Thursday, 06 December 2018 03:47 PM

 

Iraq announces timetable for the release of Iranian gas

 

 

 

"Iraq needs at least two years to boost the country's gas production in order to stop the import of Iranian gas used to feed the country's power plants," said Hayyan Abdul Ghani, head of the state-run Southern Gas Company, on Thursday, December 06, 2018.

"Iraq's production of gas is expected to reach 1.3 million cubic feet per day by the end of 2020, an increase of 400,000 cubic feet per day from current levels," Abdul Ghani said in a statement published by Reuters.

"Iraq's current production of gas is not enough to meet the demands of the country's power plants, so Iraq is still importing gas from Iran," he said, adding that his country needed at least 24 months to run new gas projects and start production.

AS

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/136257/العراق-يعلن-الجدول-الزمني-للاستغناء-عن-الغاز-الإيراني

[yota691]

US justice: Lebanese businessman admitted violations of sanctions on "Hezbollah"

 

 

 

Number of readings: 471 07-12-2018 All times are GMT +3

 

 

07-12-2018 All times are GMT +3 

 

The US Justice Department announced Friday that a Lebanese businessman has pleaded guilty to laundering money and violating US sanctions against Hezbollah. TheJustice Department said a 

statement, that 'Qasim Taj al- Din , who runs a network of businesses in Lebanon and Africa , classified by the US Treasury Department as an important financial backer of Hezbollah, pleaded guilty to related charges of evading US sanctions',

"The Lebanese businessman is due to be sentenced on January 18, 2019. He faces sentences of up to five years in prison."

[Butifldrm]

Rohani: US embargo on Iran is economic terrorism

10:26 - 08/12/2018

0

 

  

Information / Baghdad ..

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani on Saturday condemned the US embargo against Iran as "economic terrorism," stressing that today's world is undergoing important challenges from terrorism, extremism and unilateralism.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has paid a lot of high price for its terrorism since its inception," Rowhani said during a speech at the second conference of the heads of parliaments of Iran, Russia, China, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan to combat terrorism. Wider dimensions than the last period. "

"Iran has a firm resolve to combat terrorism, violence and militancy," he said, stressing that "Iran has stood as a great bulwark against those who trade with violence."

"We are today on the verge of a comprehensive attack aimed at our identity and the longstanding ties that bind us to its technicians," Rohani said, calling for "the suppression of wars and terrorism in the region to stop the migration movement."

The Iranian president stressed the need to dry the roots of the terrorist violence in the region, "stressing that" we are determined to stand hand in hand in front of the common enemy to win him. "Ending / 25

https://www.almaalomah.com/2018/12/08/371345/

[trident]

Middle East

Iran President: US sanctions may lead to 'deluge' of drugs, refugees, attacks in the West

Kurdistan 24 |

4 hours ago

 

---

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani travels to Oman during his first official visit to a Gulf Arab state, March 12, 2014. (Photo: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine)

 

Iran Tehran USA Washington

 

 

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that the West might receive a “deluge” of drugs, refugees, and terrorist attacks if current US sanctions weaken the country’s ongoing efforts to control them.

“I warn those who impose sanctions that if Iran’s ability to fight drugs and terrorism are affected... you will not be safe from a deluge of drugs, asylum seekers, bombs and terrorism,” Rouhani said during a live broadcast televised by Iranian-state media, quoted by Reuters.

The leader’s comment comes one month after the US imposed the second round of sanctions on Iran, targeting the country’s financial and energy sectors.

Iranian television also quoted Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif as saying that Washington is selling more weapons to the Middle East than the needs of the region would dictate, making it a “tinderbox”.

US President Donald Trump in May withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Drug trafficking is one of the major challenges for Iran as it borders with the world’s largest opium producer – Afghanistan, and a major transit country for drugs – Pakistan. UN reports published in 2014 show that Iran accounted for two-thirds of the world’s opium seizures in 2012 and one-fourth of the world’s heroin and morphine seizures.

“Economic terrorism means creating horror in a country and creat[ing] fear in other countries that intend to invest [there]. America’s withdrawal from the [nuclear accord] is undoubtedly a clear example of economic terrorism,” Rouhani said during a meeting of heads of parliaments of China, Russia, and four other countries.

Zarif also warned about US arms sales in the Middle East, pointing out that a top buyer is Iran’s regional rival, Saudi Arabia.

IRNA reported Zarif as saying, “The Americans have turned the region into a tinderbox. The level of arms sales by the Americans is unbelievable and much beyond regional needs and this points to the very dangerous policies followed by the Americans.” 

Editing by John J. Catherine

[yota691]

URGENT Britain, France and Germany confirm commitment to Iran's nuclear deal and protect Iraq from the effects of sanctions

Date of release:: 2018/12/8 17:45 • 43 times scheduled

(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi discussed with the ambassadors of Britain, France and Germany to strengthen relations between Iraq and these countries and political situations and support Iraq during the next phase, in addition to the situation in the region.

A statement issued by his office, received the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it, "The Ambassadors expressed during the meeting, on Saturday, great satisfaction for the political process and the government and the person of the Prime Minister, where they indicated that the positive indicators of the ability of the new government and its first steps to promote Iraq, Their full support of Iraq during the next phase. " 
The ambassadors affirmed their commitment to the international agreement on Iran's nuclear program and their support for Iraq in its position and to protect Iraq from the effects of sanctions. 
The ambassadors stressed the desire of the three European countries to work together with Iraq, stressing "the convergence of the approach set by the new Iraqi government with the basic tenets of these countries, including Iraq's regional and international positions balanced and seeking to establish good relations with all," stressing that "
For his part, the Prime Minister pointed out "Iraq's interest in its relations with the three European countries and its constant contacts with them at the highest levels and its efforts to strengthen them in various fields." He pointed out that "the country is on the right track and is witnessing continuous developments, especially after its victory over the terrorist gangs that threatened the world Collect, not just Iraq. "

[yota691]

Britain, France and Germany confirm their full commitment to protecting Iraq from the effects of US sanctions

05:44 - 08/12/2018

 

 

 

Britain, France and Germany confirm their full commitment to protecting Iraq from the effects of US sanctions

[yota691]

Iran to resume gas exports to Iraq

Date of release:: 2018/12/8 17:42 • 15 times read

{International: Euphrates News} The Iranian Oil Ministry's online website {Shana} that Tehran resumed gas exports to Iraq after a period of interruption due to a fault in a pipeline after a landslide and floods.

The website quoted the National Iranian Gas Company said on Saturday that the gas began flowing again on the fifth of December , after the repair of the pipeline. 
Iraq had announced on 28 November that gas exports stopped the previous day in the wake of the earthquake , which deprived the Iraqi electricity grid from 2500 megawatts under Baghdad 's heavy dependence on Iranian gas to feed stations. 
The United States imposed sanctions on Iran 's oil sector on the fifth of November , and said that Iraq could continue to supply natural gas and energy import for a period of 45 days , as long as it is not paid off payments to Iran in dollars.

[Pitcher]

Iran exposed: ‘Uninspected’ secret nuclear sites revealed, sparking WWIII fears

FacebookTwitterGoogle+EmailWhatsApp

 

 

Hossein Abedini of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has spoken to the Daily Express about his group’s findings. The revelations are contained within a paper entitled, ‘Iran’s Nuclear Core: Uninspected Military Sites Vital to the Nuclear Weapons Program’. The Iranian regime has been working at five sites to enrich uranium with the purpose of developing anuclear weapon, the Iranian Resistance document claims.

According to the NCRI paper: “Because of Tehran's aspirations for a nuclear weapon, the bulk of the regime's programme has been of a covert military nature.

“As a result, formulating an arms control agreement to prohibit the regime's access tonuclear arms, as per Iran's Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) obligations, has proven a major challenge to the international community.”

The document asserts there are five known locations at which Hassan Rouhani’s callous regime has been enriching uranium.

These sites include Natanz, Arak, Lashkar-Abad, exposed by the resistance group in 2003, Shian-Lavisan, also exposed in 2003 by the NCRI, and Fordow.

But the dissident group now claims to have new evidence of four more sites which, “with a high degree of certainty, have been involved in various aspects of the nuclear weapons project”.

 

They are Pazhouheshkadeh (located at the Parchin military complex, south-east Tehran), Nouri Industrial site (located at Khojir military complex, south-east Tehran), Hafte Tir site (on a military base of the same name) and Sanjarian site (close to the Parchin military complex).

More recently, the NCRI has released details of a further two sites in a paper entitled ‘Iran’s Ballistic Build Up’.

They are Mojdeh site and the Nour building.

Hossein Abedini, a member of the Iranian Resistance who was himself the victim of a failed assassination attempt in Turkey, explained the significance of his group’s discoveries.

He said: “We have exposed the clandestinenuclear sites of the Iranian regime.

 

“In 2002 we revealed the enrichment of uranium to a recognised degree as well as the heavy water reactor where they were trying to produce plutonium as the main core of a nuclear device.”

Following the initial revelations exposed by the NCRI, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent its inspectors to visit the sites.

Mr Abedini said: “They were very much astonished to see how advanced and sophisticated the nuclear technology of the Iranian regime was.”

He added: “It was only after we revealed these sites the world realised Iran had secret nuclear activity going on.

“We knew it was very, very dangerous thing - the regime only needed a nuclear device for its own survival.

“It was after that another 100 revelations were made by the NCRI.”

The IAEA did not respond to a request for comment on the NCRI’s findings.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - or so-called Iran Nuclear deal - was intended to curb Iran’s nuclear weapons programme and thwart its ability to create a nuclear bomb.

 

The accord was struck between Iran and global superpowers, China, France, Germany, the European Union, Russia, the United Kingdom and United States (who later withdrew under President Trump).

Of the deal, Mr Abedini said: “It gave a lot of unnecessary concessions to the regime, which was in a very weak position.

“It was time to get rid of all its nuclear activities but unfortunately they gave a lot of concessions which did not work and made the regime more brazen.”

 

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/33831/Iran-exposed-Uninspected-secret-nuclear-sites-revealed-sparking-WWIII-fears

[Pitcher]

Thank you Barry and John Kelly.  

[Calijim]

When are the rest of the Iran deal countries going to wake up and realize the Iran deal is a pile of camel dung 🐫🐪💩

[Calijim]

Think your talking about John Kerry that was in Vietnam as he regularly reminds us.

[Pitcher]

Haha, thanks for the correction.  Of course it’s Kerry.  

[Synopsis]

Remember the “Cargo Planes” of cash Bark Insane Obama  had flown out???!!!

 

Current “Compliant” “Actors”???!!!

 

Remember Rouhani said He WILL “Mention Names” IF duh EU DOES NOT “Successfully” “Circumvent” The United States Of America Sanctions on Iran???!!!

 

Any questions why Britain, France, AND Germany ARE NOT cooperating WITH The United States Of America to PREVENT another MIDDLE EAST Nuclear Weapons Power???!!!

 

In The Mean Time......................

 

Go Moola Nova!

[Bama Girl]

On 12/4/2018 at 1:01 PM, Synopsis said:

I'm pretty sure The True The United States Of America Patriot American Eagle WILL PREVAIL WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER!!!

They don’t want to mess with the sleeping giant.

The “Eagle” will land on their proverbial behind. 🦅