Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[Synopsis]

The article is dated today, Saturday, December 15, 2018.

 

Pretty implicating information with regard to the Insanians and THEIR nuclear weapons ambitions facilitated by back door exchanges with North Korea.

 

To me, this is VERY old news. However, it is VERY interesting the information is NOW being presented to the Bicraqi Iraqi.

 

My gut feel is the Bicraqi Iraqi are being informed to see that the Insanian sanctions ultimately lead to the Bicraqi Iraqi's Safety, Security, AND Sovereignty by ensuring the Insanians DO NOT become a nuclear weapons power. The Bicraqi Iraqi already see the Insanians in Iraq with Insanian missles. Iraq would be an international target for neutralizing Insanian missles on Bicraqi Iraqi soil.

 

The Bicraqi Iraqi would REALLY be upset about THAT!!!

 

The Bicraqi Iraqi KNOW THAT like most every other peace loving peoples.

 

My opinion is the North Korean side has ALREADY been dealt with so the cooperation between the Insanians and NutKos is greatly, if not totally, eliminated. I can not immagine under the present True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump Administration that the NutKos would be allowed to do this stuff AND still be engaged in arrangements to normalize North Korea to a sanction reduced to international entity.

 

Further, my gut feel is the Bicraqi Iraqi will also begin to see how removing the Insanian influences from Iraq is in THEIR best interest. The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump Administration sees and is acting on this with Patriotic Allies to act in the Bicraqi Iraqi's best interest. I am pretty sure the momentum is building to expell ALL the Insanian influences from Iraq AND this news piece is an announcement of a key issue for expelling the Insanian influences.

 

Good News to ALL us HERE!!!

 

Well, OK, just my conjecture, thoughts, opinion, and  for whatever THAT is worth!!! Hey, I might REALLY be a nut job or somethin'!!! CAVEAT EMPTOR, Reader!!! 

 

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

 

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

   

[yota691]

Iraq completes 45-day deadline without clear position on US sanctions

 

A man standing near a power station. "Internet"

money and business Economy News Baghdad The US deadline for Iraq to stop dealing with Iran under US sanctions on Tehran expires on Thursday, and as Iran presses the Baghdad government to stand by it, the United States is also pressing the government to abide by sanctions. The government itself is facing a deep crisis in the completion of its incomplete team of eight ministries after the collapse of the fragile coalition between the two largest blocs in parliament, "reform and reconstruction" loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr, and "construction" loyal to Hadi al-Ameri. The Iraqi government came after an urgent political alliance headed by Adel Abdul Mahdi, the independent political figure. The alliance soon broke up when the talks reached the blocs to name the ministers of interior and defense. The main problem lies in the close political and economic relations between Iraq and Iran. The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached 12 billion dollars annually. Iran also has great security and political influence in the country through the Shiite factions and its parliamentary bloc in the parliament, which has become one of the important deputies of parliament. The main problem associated with Iran and the provocation of the United States is the electricity crisis in Iraq, as the Ministry of Electricity announced that about one third of the production of energy depends directly on Iran, while the United States is pressing the Iraqi government to find alternatives to Iran to resolve the energy crisis and offered " Several projects to achieve this, but it is not so easy. Iraq produces about 16 thousand megawatts of energy, while the actual need to provide electricity throughout the day and all parts of the country about 26 thousand megawatts, and this difference remains, as the more energy production, the increased demand, as an Iraqi government official ."About 30 percent of Iraq's energy production depends on Iranian gas. The United States asks us to give up Iranian gas without realizing the magnitude of the crisis it may entail," the official told Niqash. "Iraq relies on Iranian gas to operate power plants to produce about 4,000 megawatts. It depends on the import of direct electricity from Iran to provide about 1,500 megawatts, which represents about one-third of Iraq's energy production," the official said. The electricity crisis in Iraq is one of the most important economic problems experienced by the country after 2003, as successive governments failed to solve the problem, and even today Iraqis get an average of eight hours a day of energy, while relying on regional generators owned by small traders to compensate for the shortage After payment of additional funds. The coalition of "building", a large coalition includes the blocks of "conquest" led by Hadi al-Amiri, and "the rule of law" led by Nuri al-Maliki, and other Sunni parties, a coalition known for its proximity to Iran, rejects Iraq's commitment to sanctions on Iran. "There are strong relations between the two countries and there is trade and economic exchange in terms of foodstuffs or agriculture, not to mention the exchange of gas, electricity and oil," Mansour al-Baiji, a member of the Al-Binai alliance, said. For American wishes. " It seems that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi supports this trend, and announced last Tuesday in his weekly press conference that "Iraq is not part of the US sanctions," and announced the dispatch of a delegation to the United States to discuss exempt Iraq from compliance with these sanctions. The US side seems to insist on its position on Iraq's need for sanctions. Hours after Abdul-Mahdi's remarks, US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in Baghdad during a surprise visit to Iraq that he met senior Iraqi officials. "I told the Iraqis that the sanctions are real and that it is now. Iraq breaks its dependence on countries seeking to dominate and dominate, "in a clear reference to Iran. No one knows what will happen next week after the US deadline for Iraq. Iran hints at creating chaos if Iraq complies with sanctions, while the United States looms over Iraq if Iraq stands by Iran. Views 45   Date Added 12/17/2018

[Butifldrm]

Iran sees the world heading for "renunciation" of the dollar 

11:45 - 17/12/2018

0

 

  

Information / Baghdad ..

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasimi said Monday that the call for the replacement of local currencies instead of the dollar has become an international and regional call.

"Many countries in the region and the world are calling for monetary exchange in local currencies as a result of the obstacles that the US is putting in using the dollar," Qassimi said at his weekly press conference.

"We will not stand idly by in return for the heavy pressure exerted by the US Treasury Department on companies and countries to stop cooperating with us," he said.

"The European exchange mechanism with Iran is not limited to food and medicine, but includes other fields," the foreign ministry spokesman said. Ending / 25

https://www.almaalomah.com/2018/12/17/374205/

[yota691]

Admiral Ali Shamkhani: With the advent of Iran's economy, we will be trampled by dust
| Number of readings: 781 font size:  
Admiral Ali Shamkhani: With the advent of Iran's economy, we will be trampled by dust
The Secretary General of the Supreme National Security Council, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, said that the United States, by stepping up its pressure on the embargo on Iran, wants to find a gap between the pillars of power on the one hand and the power of the Iranian people on the other. The government and the people are more than enemies, and the Iranian people will stand by their leadership, Trump will blow the dirt.

"The oil industry, even before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, stood with its employees alongside the people," Shamkhani said at a ceremony honoring 1055 oil martyrs, led by oil minister Mohammed Jawad Tandkoyan, who died under torture after being captured by Saddam Hussein's former regime. Iran has continued its positions since the victory of the Islamic Revolution and through the period of sacred defense to this day, can not be separated from the Iranian people, a torch that distributes warmth among the people to continue.

Shamkhani said that the US-led global arrogance wanted to pursue a policy of despair and lead to the collapse of the people from the inside by tightening the embargo and spreading divisions among the people. But for the past four decades we have proved to America that its hopes and aspirations for Iran will not come to light, And is keen on cohesion and unity.

Shamkhani said that America's departure from the nuclear agreement is a flagrant violation of international laws and resolutions, and that even if it did not have any excuse, it would emerge from this agreement as it emerged from other international agreements.

[nannab]

Good afternoon Yota and DV.  

[10 YEARS LATER]

Show of hands -  -  trampled to dust good with U cats - or too harsh ?

Edited December 19, 2018 by 10 YEARS LATER

[nannab]

3 hours ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

Show of hands -  -  trampled to dust good with U cats - or too harsh ?

 

  

[10 YEARS LATER]

That’s 8  and 0 too harsh so far. Well, that’s what happens when you don’t make friends in the sandbox and not liked elsewhere. 

 

It it was a no brainer for me in Kindergarten and sandbox time. Can’t we all just get along, huh ?

[yota691]

20-12-2018 All times are GMT +3

This is what Washington wants .. A source negotiator reveals: America gave Baghdad 90 days to import Iranian energy

 

 

 

 

Baghdad / News:

A government source said the United States had decided to give his country 90 days to allow the import of electricity from Iran, allowing Baghdad to bypass the sanctions imposed by the United States on Tehran in the current period.

Arab media quoted the source as saying that the US decision came days before the expiration of the deadline for Iraq on November 5, 45 days, Baghdad then evaded the sanctions imposed by the United States on countries cooperating with Iran, in the framework of a package of sanctions accompanied with Washington's decision to cancel the nuclear agreement.

Baghdad sent a delegation to the United States to negotiate an extension of the deadline to avoid Baghdad US sanctions, where a government source involved in the negotiations, "it succeeded, and Washington decided to grant Baghdad a new period of 90 days."

The source said the government in the talks in Washington, "Iraq is within the extension of the deadline for a period of 90 days, so that Iraq can continue to buy Iranian electricity and gas."

The source said during his answer to questions about the delegation's pressure from the United States to enter into a partnership with American companies, that the issue "part of the complex discussions."

A source familiar with the negotiations, that the United States seeks to convince Iraq in partnership with "General Electric" and Baker Hughes "and" Orion "to invest gas burned.

"The United States tells Iraqi officials that it is a profitable process for the three parties. Stop relying on Iran, invest their gas, and benefit US companies in this process. "

The lack of energy in Iraqi cities ignited a popular crisis followed by widespread protests against the government last summer.

Iraq is seeking to import up to 28 million cubic meters of natural gas from Tehran to its factories, and is directly buying 1,300 megawatts of Iranian electricity to overcome the energy problem.

Iraq's dependence on Iran in the energy field is not profitable for the United States, which sought to reduce Tehran's influence and re-impose sanctions on Iran's financial institutions, shipping lines, the energy sector and oil products.

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry discussed sanctions last week with Iraq's oil and electricity ministers in Baghdad, calling on Baghdad to open doors to US companies to achieve energy independence.

"Working together, the United States and Iraq can develop the oil, gas and water industries," the US official said.

In turn, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, the possibility of stopping the import of Iranian electricity within two years, but the issue of gas import is the most difficult. It needs Tehran gas until it has the capacity to extract its gas or invest gas burned during the extraction of oil.

According to World Bank figures, the waste of burned gas in Iraq is about $ 2.5 billion a year, enough to bridge the gap in gas generation in Iraq.

[yota691]

Washington extends Iraq's exemption from US sanctions on Iran for another 90 days

04:48 - 20/12/2018

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
The United States has agreed to extend 90 days to exempt Iraq from sanctions, a source from the government negotiating delegation in Washington said on Thursday to exempt Iraq from US sanctions on Iran. 
The source said, according to the agency, "Agence France Presse," that "Iraq within the extension of the deadline for a period of 90 days, so that Iraq can continue to buy Iranian electricity and gas." 
According to the source, "A few days before the deadline, a delegation of Iraqi officials went to Washington to negotiate the extension of the grace period." 
During his press conference last week, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said Baghdad intended to send a negotiating delegation to Washington to free him from US sanctions against Iran.
On Nov. 5, Iraq was exempted from 45 days of US sanctions on Iran in its nuclear program. It was supposed to devote a road map to cancel Baghdad's full reliance on Iranian electricity and gas. Finished 29 / m

[yota691]

Washington extends the deadline to allow Iraq to import Iranian energy 90 days

Date of release:: 2018/12/20 18:00 • 50 times read

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States has extended the deadline for Iraq to import electricity from Iran for 90 days, allowing Baghdad to bypass sanctions imposed by Washington over Tehran's nuclear program, a government source said.

The news sites quoted the government source - the participant talks Thursday in Washington to say, Iraq is within the extension of the deadline for a period of ninety days, so that Baghdad can continue to buy Iranian electricity and gas. 
Asked whether the United States had pressed the Iraqi delegation to enter into a partnership with US companies to fill the gap, the source explained that "this issue is part of a complex discussion." 
Iraq received a 45-day exemption from US-imposed sanctions on Iran on May 5. 
It was supposed to be allocated to develop a road map, which eliminates Baghdad's full dependence on the use of electricity and Iranian gas. 
A few days before the end of the deadline, a delegation of Iraqi officials went to Washington to negotiate the extension of the grace period, as confirmed by the Iraqi source.
During his press conference last week, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi confirmed Baghdad's intention to send a negotiating delegation to Washington. 
A lack of energy - often leaving homes without electricity for up to 20 hours a day - is a key factor behind weeks of major protests in Iraq during the summer. 
To overcome this shortfall, Iraq imports up to 28 million cubic meters of natural gas from Tehran to its factories, and directly buys 1,300 megawatts of Iranian electricity.

[Laid Back]

The pressure is ON. 90 more days extension to continue buying electricity and gas.

The USA don’t want to see more Iraqi dependence on Iran 

 

 

[10 YEARS LATER]

As long as Iraq keeps getting a break ( no Kit Katz for U ), They might just keep dragging everything out-ya know, no pressure to “ get after it “ 

 

I have a solution but some might find it unhygienic 😦

 

[nannab]

EH?  

[yota691]

21-12-2018 05:56 PM

Washington is working with Baghdad to end Iraq's dependence on Iranian gas

 

 

BAGHDAD / 
The US State Department announced on Friday Washington's work with Baghdad to end Iraq's dependence on Iranian gas. 

The ministry said in a statement Friday that Washington was exempting Iraq from 90-day sanctions.

[yota691]

Washington: We have been granted a 90-day exemption for Iraq to be able to pay its imports to Iran

05:54 - 21/12/2018

 

 

 

Washington granted a 90-day exemption to Iraq to pay for its imports of Iranian electricity

[DoD]

I hope before this 90 day deadline ends I will have forgotten the word Iraq....

[yota691]

Pompeo briefed Saleh on the reasons for the US decision to withdraw from Syria and stressed: We are committed to fighting terrorism

03:08 - 22/12/2018

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday that his country was continuing to fight terrorism in Iraq and Syria, while President Barham Salih pointed out the importance of ending the state of violence and absurd conflict in Syria. 
"Saleh received a telephone call from Pompeo and briefed the president on the requirements and reasons for the decision to withdraw from Syria," the statement said. 
"The United States continues its commitment to fight against terrorism and terrorism in Iraq," Pompeo said. 
For his part, the President of the Republic stressed to the US Secretary of State that "Iraq and the region need a political settlement of the Syrian crisis and the importance of ending the state of violence and the absurd conflict there, which has caused the Syrian people a heavy price due to the terrorization of cities and committing the worst crimes, .
Saleh stressed that "the withdrawal should be an aid to achieve peace based on respect for the rights of the Syrians and their independent decision, not to start a new phase of violence and interventions." 
"The protection of Iraq's sovereignty and the national interest of Iraq must be the basis for dealing with stability and protecting the victory against terrorism," he said. H

[yota691]

Pompeo in favor: The United States continues its commitment to fight a preacher in Iraq

Release date: 2018/12/22 15:21 • 22 times read

[yota691]

TEHRAN: US aircraft carrier in the Gulf has been hit by missiles

 

Saturday 22 December

 

 

Baghdad - An official in the Iranian Defense Ministry on Saturday denied the launch of a missile or a missile towards the US aircraft carrier in the Gulf yesterday.  "Iran's Revolutionary Guard boats approached US aircraft carrier John Stennis as they entered the Strait of Hormuz yesterday," Admiral Amir Rastakari, head of Iran's Marine Industries Corporation, said.  Rastakari confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard had launched a missile and a missile, but at the same time denied that it was intended to target the US aircraft carrier, but was part of the exercises carried out by the Revolutionary Guards in the region.         He stressed that the proximity of the Revolutionary Guard boats from the aircraft carrier was in accordance with maritime customs to identify the time of entry and exit of vessels from the Strait of Hormuz and the state and its destination.  He added that the US aircraft carrier responded to the questions of the Revolutionary Guard and passed its course peacefully and is now completing its course, saying that talking about the targeting of the guard aircraft carrier aircraft march or launch missiles, "an attempt to demonize Iran."  The Associated Press reported yesterday that ships belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards fired missiles at the US aircraft carrier John Stennis, which entered the waters of the Gulf for the first time since 2001.

[yota691]

International traders stop new food deals with Iran because of US sanctions

 

An Iranian oil field

Arab and international Economy News Baghdad: Sources in the industry and the Iranian government say Cargill, Benji and other international traders have stopped food supply deals with Iran because new US sanctions have hit banking systems to make payments paralyzed . Food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are exempt from US sanctions that Washington reintroduced this year after US President Donald Trump announced his withdrawal from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers in 2015 . But US sanctions targeting everything from oil sales to shipping and financial activities have distracted many foreign banks from doing business with Iran, including humanitarian deals. Despite its previous dealings with Iran in previous rounds of sanctions, many small banks have suspended their dealings with them this time . "There is no real chance of getting money using the mechanisms currently in place and many international traders are unable to make new deals at the moment, " said a European source familiar with the situation, who declined to be named . Cargill and Panji of the Americas and Singaporean companies are among the companies that have not been able to conclude new export deals for wheat, maize, raw sugar and other commodities because Western banks can not convert transaction payments with Iran, Western and Iranian trade sources said . Cargill, Benji and Allam declined to comment when contacted by Reuters . US sanctions took full effect on November 5, but Washington temporarily exempted some of its allies, who depend on Iranian oil imports . Iran relies heavily on imported staple food and has years of experience in circumventing US and other Western sanctions, which have become stricter gradually between 2012 and 2015 until the Islamic Republic reaches an agreement on its nuclear program. Many penalties were lifted in 2016 after the agreement was concluded . In previous rounds of sanctions, Iran has resorted to a handful of foreign banks, which have continued to serve as a conduit for payments to sustain food imports and other forms of trade . But many of these channels of foreign banks were closed during this tour. Three Iranian officials told Reuters banking issues were behind the suspension of food and other trade . "A handful of small European banks," which have little to do with the United States, are still working with Iran and deal only in small-scale deals, an industry, mining and trade official in Iran said . "We are in talks with the Europeans to expand this network of banks and financial institutions . " But many companies including Cargill and Benji told us at the moment that there are difficulties (banking) will force them to stop dealing with Iran ." In May, the Swiss Trade and Investment Bank, a bank involved in humanitarian deals, said it had suspended all new deals with Iran . Washington listed Germany-based European-European Commercial Bank (EIB) on a black list in November, closing down an institution which financial sources said had dealt with Iran on a limited scale between 2012 and 2016 . The bank did not respond to requests for comment . A number of Western banks that have been working with Iran since 2016 have returned. In June, Austrian bank Oberbank, one of the first European banks to reach a deal on new deals with Iran, said it had suspended deals with it . Other banks have followed suit, including Danish bank Dansek and Deutsche Bank AG . Belgium's KBC said in June it would limit Iran's transfers to humanitarian trade . The bank did not say whether it would continue to transfer these payments when Reuters asked it this month, but said it was "reviewing its policy at a regular pace with full respect for all relevant laws ." Dutch bank ABN Amro said it facilitated transfers related to food, health care, medical equipment and agriculture on a limited scale and with specific customers. But he also told Reuters that "recent restrictive measures on Iranian banks are a challenge ." * Warned Bankers said it was easier for many foreign banks to end any Iranian activity than to try to delve into US sanctions rules, risking wrongdoing and facing sanctions . "There is great caution now," said a European source in the financial sector who had previously been involved in Iranian transactions. The rules on food and other humanitarian transactions were complex . "For example, if the goods are shipped to an Iranian distributor, which sells them in turn but not directly to a final buyer, the banks will increasingly consider such a transaction to be commercial rather than humanitarian, " the source said . A spokesman for the US Treasury Department said that Washington had given extensive permits and exceptions to the sanctions that allowed the sale of basic agricultural commodities, food, medicines and medical equipment to Iran by Americans and non-Americans . US Treasury Secretary Stephen Menuchin said in November that the Belgian-based SWIFT Financial Messaging Service could be used for humanitarian deals, but added that "banks should be very careful that these are not hidden transactions or they may be subject to certain penalties ." The European Union, signatory to the nuclear deal, which has urged Washington not to withdraw from it, said its efforts to develop a trade facilitation mechanism and circumvent US sanctions could bear fruit by the end of the year . EU diplomats said the mechanism could focus on humanitarian goods, not oil . Switzerland is also working on a payment channel for humanitarian purposes but has not set a time-frame for the matter . Yet banks are still cautious . "Even deals already concluded earlier this year have been affected and even ships carrying goods can not unload their shipments because payment transactions can not be made or because it takes a long time, " said another European source with business in Iran . According to data released on December 21 on the Marine Traffic Information Platform, 16 vessels are waiting to unload their cargo of commodities and goods, including food, at least two weeks ago at the ports of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Imam Khomeini in Iran. Four of them have been waiting since October . Washington says its sanctions are part of an effort to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and also to end Tehran's support for forces in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East . Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that its missiles are defensive. It also blames what it calls US intervention in the Middle East turmoil. Views 69   Date Added 23/12/2018

[Pitcher]

Sanctions are just the beginning for Iran: Report

 

Iranian members of parliament display their disagreement over a bill, one of four put forward by the government to meet demands set by the international Financial Action Task Force, in Tehran on Oct. 7. (Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)

In an echo of the sparring between hard-liners and reformists that preceded Iran’s approval of the nuclear deal three years ago, the two Iranian political factions are again deeply at odds, this time over compliance with international financial transparency regulations. Should they be rejected, Iran would probably be left even more economically isolated than it already is, Foriegn Policy reported Sunday.

As the government weighs the possible dire implications of opposition to the global measures, the hard-liners may in time be persuaded to support them. But it could prove difficult, as the adoption of greater financial transparency is likely to make it harder to support Iranian proxies across the Middle East.

In May, Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal triggered renewed U.S. sanctions that Washington calculates will pressure Iran into addressing its concerns about ballistic missiles and regional proxies, as part of a renegotiated nuclear deal.

Following the unilateral U.S. move, other signatories to the nuclear deal, namely Europe, Russia, and China, have been trying to salvage it; however, they have insisted that Tehran comply with standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism finance set by a Paris-based intergovernmental organization, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The FATF, set up at the behest of the G-7, monitors the integrity of the global financial system. It has been described by one financial crime expert as “the most powerful organisation most people have never heard of.” If a country fails to conform to its standards, the watchdog can place it on a blacklist. FATF members are then urged to impose so-called countermeasures, or sanctions, on the transgressing state. These can result in “a limitation or prohibition of financial transactions with the jurisdiction” in question.

In a recent paper, the Washington-based Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control noted that countermeasures against Tehran may include requiring banks to review and terminate correspondent accounts with Iranian banks, preventing them from establishing overseas subsidiary branches, and limiting business relations or imposing enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements on transactions involving Iran.

The U.S. measures on Iran are comprehensive and will likely be pursued energetically given Washington’s policy of exerting “maximum pressure” on the country, but their impact may be weakened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to break ranks with U.S. allies that are determined to ensure that the agreement is preserved.

So while many non-U.S. banks and businesses with exposure to the U.S. financial system will be reluctant to defy Washington, Brussels is developing a so-called special purpose vehicle, a payment system that aims to provide a sanctions shield for European companies and those from other countries wishing to continue trading with Iran. While it is too early to judge how effective the mechanism will be, it is hard to see how it will operate if Iran does not adhere to FATF standards.

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said in October that the special purpose vehicle required Iranian compliance with the watchdog and that Russia and China, Tehran’s allies, had told him that they cannot continue to do business with Iran otherwise. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that assessment this month.

Predictably, Iranian hard-liners­—including members of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the judiciary, the army top brass, and the clerical establishment—have been dragging their heels on adoption of FATF standards. They fear it will reveal sensitive financial information and frustrate efforts to fund proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza, as well as put limits on the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, responsible for Iran’s military activities beyond its borders. Tehran’s hawks regard backing for these groups as a regional strategic priority.

In June 2016, following implementation of the nuclear deal, the FATF suspended countermeasures against Iran—though it remained on the watchdog’s blacklist along with North Korea. Tehran had been given until this October to adhere to the FATF standards. Yet by the deadline, of four Iranian bills addressing compliance deficiencies, only one had been passed by parliament and approved by the Guardian Council, a body that checks whether assembly decisions are consistent with Islamic law.

 

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/34415/Sanctions-are-just-the-beginning-for-Iran-Report

[yota691]

US sanctions cripple Iranian deals

 

 Twilight News    
 2 hours ago

(Reuters) - Cargill, Bangui and other global traders have halted food supply deals with Iran because new US sanctions have crippled banking systems to secure payments, sources in the industry and the government said.

"There is no real chance of getting money using the mechanisms currently in place and many international traders are unable to make new deals at the moment," Reuters quoted a European source familiar with the situation, who declined to be named.

Cargill and Bangui of the Americas and Ulam of Singapore are among the companies that have not been able to conclude new export deals for wheat, maize, raw sugar and other commodities because Western banks can not convert Transaction payments with Iran.

Three Iranian officials said banking issues were behind the suspension of food and other trade. "A handful of small European banks, which have little to do with the United States, are still working with Iran and deal only in small-scale deals," said an official in the industry, mining and trade sector in Iran. Network of banks and financial institutions. "

"But many companies, including Cargill and Benji, have told us at the moment that there are (banking) difficulties forcing them to stop their dealings with Iran."

In previous rounds of sanctions, Iran has resorted to a handful of foreign banks, which have continued to serve as a conduit for payments, in order to sustain food imports and other forms of trade. But many of these channels of foreign banks were closed during this tour.

Food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are exempt from US sanctions that Washington reintroduced this year after US President Donald Trump announced his withdrawal from a nuclear deal between Tehran and the six major powers in 2015.

Washington says its sanctions are part of an effort to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and also to end Tehran's support for forces in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that its missiles are defensive.

But US sanctions targeting everything from oil sales to shipping and financial activities have distracted many foreign banks from doing business with Iran, including humanitarian deals.

Despite its previous dealings with Iran, in light of past rounds of sanctions, many small banks have stopped dealing with them this time. US sanctions came into force on November 5, but Washington temporarily exempted some of its allies, who depend on Iranian oil imports.

Iran relies on imports of basic food commodities and has years of experience in circumventing other US and Western sanctions, which have become stricter gradually between 2012 and 2015, until Iran reached agreement on its nuclear program, and many sanctions were lifted in 2016 after the agreement was concluded.

The global financial network «Swift» announced the suspension of dealing with Iranian banks on the eighth of last November, a few hours after the entry of US sanctions into force.

Bankers said it was easier for many foreign banks to end any Iranian activity, rather than trying to delve into US sanctions rules, risking wrongdoing and facing sanctions.

According to a European source in the financial sector, who has previously been involved in Iranian transactions, "there is great caution now," adding that rules on food and other humanitarian transactions are complex.

"For example, if the goods are shipped to an Iranian distributor, which sells them in turn, but not directly to a final buyer, the banks will increasingly consider that such a transaction is commercial, not humanitarian."

Iranian officials said last week that the Iranian foreign minister had received European promises on the activation of the European mechanism before the end of this year, as confirmed by European officials.

EU diplomats said the mechanism would focus on humanitarian goods, not oil, which was denied by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasimi at a press conference a few days ago.

Switzerland is also working on a payment channel for humanitarian purposes, but has not set a time-frame for the matter.

"Even the deals already signed earlier this year have been affected, even by the ships," said another European exporter with business in Iran

Which transport goods that can not unload their shipments because it is not possible to make transactions for payments, or because it takes time.

According to data released on December 21 on the Marine Traffic Information Platform, 16 ships are waiting to unload their cargo of basic goods and goods, including food, at least two weeks ago at the ports of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Ma'shur, south of Ahwaz. Four of these vessels have been waiting since October.

Keywords: 
 

[yota691]

Rouhani presents Iran's budget and says sanctions affect living and growth

 

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani at a news conference in New York on September 26, 2018. "Reuters"

Arab and international Economy News Baghdad TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rowhani presented an annual budget of 4700 trillion riyals ($ 47 billion at a free market rate) to parliament on Tuesday, saying US sanctions would affect Iranians' lives and growth, but would not put the government on its knees. "America's goal is to weaken the Iranian Islamic regime ... and it will fail, but there will be no doubt that the sanctions will affect the lives of citizens, the development of the country and its economic growth," Rowhani told parliament in a televised speech. He pointed out that the value of the draft budget is about 4700 trillion riyals for the next Persian year, which begins on 21 March 2019. Views 9   Date Added 12/25/2018

[yota691]

Rouhani submits an annual budget to parliament

10:29 - 25/12/2018

 

 

 

Follow - up - the balance of News 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani presented an annual budget size of 4,700 trillion rials ($ 47 billion at the price of the free market) to parliament on Tuesday, saying that the US sanctions will affect the lives of Iranians and growth, but they will not make the government to its knees. 
"America's goal is to rip Iran down ... and it will fail, but there will be no doubt that the sanctions will affect the lives of citizens, the development of the country and its economic growth," Rohani told parliament in a televised speech. 
He pointed out that "the value of the draft budget is about 4700 trillion riyals for the next Persian year, which begins on 21 March 2019."