New Steps by U.S. Against Iranians

[Scurrilous]

Source: New York Times

<snip>

"The Bush administration will announce a long-debated policy of new sanctions against Iran on Thursday, accusing the elite Quds division of the Revolutionary Guard Corps of supporting terrorism, administration officials said Wednesday night.

The administration also plans to accuse the entire Revolutionary Guard Corps of proliferating weapons of mass destruction, the officials said. While the United States has long labeled Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, the decision to single out the Guard reflects increased frustration in the administration with the slow pace of diplomatic negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Both designations will put into play unilateral sanctions intended to impede the Revolutionary Guard and those who do business with it. This is the first time that the United States has taken such steps against the armed forces of any sovereign government.

The action against the Revolutionary Guard, first reported by The Washington Post, would set in motion a series of automatic sanctions that would make it easier for the United States to block financial accounts and other assets controlled by the Guard. In particular, the action would freeze any assets the Guard has in the United States, although it is unlikely that the Guard maintains much in the way of assets in American banks or other institutions."


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/washington/25tehran.html?ref=world

[maddezmom]

1. New sanctions for Iran, officials say

New sanctions for Iran, officials say By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer
18 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is imposing new sanctions against Iran aimed at the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Quds Force that Washington has accused of stirring up trouble in Iraq and elsewhere, U.S. officials said Thursday.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson were to announce the new steps, aimed at quelling Iran's nuclear ambitions, at a news conference at the State Department later Thursday morning, said the officials who declined to be identified publicly.

Rice told a House committee Wednesday that the administration shares Congress' goal of making sanctions tougher on Iran. She also declared that activities in Iraq by the Quds Force "are inconsistent with the Iranian government's obligations and stated commitment to support the Iraqi government."

The officials confirmed the looming sanctions only on grounds of anonymity because the official announcement was still pending.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iran;_ylt=As7X74IifhfdzV.26k2iTO2s0NUE

[billyoc]

2. Terrorism links, check.

WMD's, check.
Sanctions, check.
Evil bad guy leader, check.
Congress on board, check.
Cassandra Cheney on the speaking circuit, check.

I don't know if we'll be able to run out the clock on the bush administration, there aren't that
many items left on the checklist, I wouldn't think.

[ShortnFiery]

3. IMO, our only hope is for our high quality field grade officers (MAJ & LTC) to convince

the COL (06) and General Officers (07 and above), that there won't be ANY COUNTRY left if we buy into this madness.

I've given my opinion before that far too many high quality General Officers have been replaced by spring butt ass kissers who will do anything that their civilian masters order them to act on.

However, there are STILL some truly honorable men and women General Officers. There's always some.

I hope and pray that those honorable *General Officers* within our Military Services reflect on their oath to our beloved Constitution and ACT on behalf of their country. Even people who are profit (money and power) driven must be aware that there will be nothing left to save if we allow the Unitary Executive to bomb Iran.

Iran is a TRUE threat, in that, they have operatives all over the world who are far from stupid. Our lives will be drastically altered if Dear Leader orders Martial Law. And he will because Iran has the military and the world connections to *make us pay* for bombing their sovereign land.

Our last hope is with the honorable men and women of the Military. Please CHECK your mad civilian leaders before they "Open up the Gates of Hell" within both The Middle East and, soon thereafter, The World?

[The Stranger]

9. If the Nancy Disaster thought she could "run out the clock," then she is worse than we thought.

And that is saying something.

[Amonester]

11. Maybe... she may be complicit, and lies through her teeth to...

the anti-war "fringe" she despise so much.

The powder is too dry.

It's about to burst in fire.

[pattmarty]

4. The Dems better not wait too long before FINALLY doing something.

[Roland99]

5. I wonder...have the Taliban ever made it to the State Dept. list of terror groups?

Wasn't as of a couple of years ago.

[moondust]

6. Step by step, inch by inch...

Are we there yet?

[Javaman]

7. I'm waiting for the moment when moron* suspends the constitution

and becomes our own baby doc president for life.

it worked in 04 with the msm bleeding hearts bleating "you can't defeat a war prez*!!" Well you can, if you have fair elections, but that is sooooo pre-9/11.

well, now he* has to increase the pot. he's* just itching for his big boner ww4. that will keep him* in office until the freeze him, stalin glass case him*, prop him* up in the corner with an endless tape repeating over and over again, "bomb them over there so we don't have to bomb here", or the classic, "I'm* the decider".

Sigh.

he* ain't leaving. it will be in complete bold faced violation of the constitution, but do you honestly think anyone will care?

nope.

they will set it up in such a way that the mouth breathers of this nation will believe and feel so thankful that they aren't glowing.

what moron* doesn't know and certainly hasn't planned for is, the first moment he launches is mother of all bombs on Iran, the value of the dollar will plunge and it will be a minor miracle if he can barrow enough for cab fair let alone enough for the interest on our gigantically huge national debt. And the price of oil? Bwahahahaha! you will get a better deal on a Van Gogh.

whistling past the graveyard doesn't work anymore.

[Amonester]

8. Good... I mean, good for Russian & Chinese businesses.

And more jobs for their employees too.

The Chimperor and his clique of war criminals want less jobs for Americans, so they'll be forced to enroll in their oil war$ if they just want to survive another day.

[Magleetis]

10. Nothing can stop them

The * administration is determined to destroy the earth and it's people. We need a miracle and fast.

[Tempest]

12. What are the sanctions?

I can't find a list of what the sanctions are.

Can anyone?

Or is this more hot air from the Bushies?

[Scurrilous]

13. Statement by Secretary Paulson on Iran Designations

Treasury released the following statement by Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. on Iran designations announced today:

"Iran exploits its global financial ties to pursue nuclear capabilities, develop ballistic missiles and fund terrorism. Today, we are taking additional steps to combat Iran's dangerous conduct and to engage financial institutions worldwide to make the most informed decisions about those with whom they choose to do business.

"The Iranian regime's ability to pursue nuclear and ballistic missile programs in defiance of UN Security Council Resolutions depends on its access to the international commercial and financial systems. Iran also funnels hundreds of millions of dollars each year through the international financial system to terrorists. Iran's banks aid this conduct, using a range of deceptive financial practices intended to evade even the most stringent risk-management controls. In dealing with Iran, it is nearly impossible to know one's customer and be assured that one is not unwittingly facilitating the regime's reckless conduct. The recent warning by the Financial Action Task Force, the world's premier standard-setting body for countering terrorist financing and money laundering, confirms the extraordinary risks that accompany doing business with Iran.

"We have been working closely and intensely with our international partners to prevent one of the world's most dangerous regimes from developing the world's most dangerous weapons. Part of that strategy involves denying supporters of Iran's illicit conduct access to the international financial system; these actors should find no safe haven in the reputable world of finance and commerce. The UN Security Council has required member states to freeze the assets of, and prohibit persons from doing business with, a number of entities and individuals supporting Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile activities, including Iran's state-owned Bank Sepah.

"Today, we are designating Iran's Bank Melli, Bank Mellat, and Bank Saderat. These are three of Iran's largest banks, and they all have facilitated Iran's proliferation activities or its support for terrorism. We are also designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for proliferation activities and its Qods Force for providing material support to the Taliban and other terrorist organizations. The IRGC is so deeply entrenched in Iran's economy and commercial enterprises, it is increasingly likely that, if you are doing business with Iran, you are doing business with the IRGC. We call on responsible banks and companies around the world to terminate any business with Bank Melli, Bank Mellat, Bank Saderat, and all companies and entities of the IRGC.

"As awareness of Iran's deceptive behavior has grown, many banks around the world have decided as a matter of prudence and integrity that Iran's business is simply not worth the risk. It is plain and simple: reputable institutions do not want to be the bankers for this dangerous regime. We will continue to work with our international partners to prevent Iran from abusing the international financial system to advance its illicit conduct."

http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp645.htm

[Tempest]

14. The sanctions are toothless without international support

The U.S. and U.S. companies don't do business with Iranian banks so the sanctions as spelled out are meaningless.

Has any other country announced they will abide by the unilateral sanctions imposed?


And it would be easy enough for Iran to open a branch in a friendly country (like China), rename the branch and hide the transactions through it.

[Amonester]

16. I guess the sanctions exempt Halliburton, Dubai.

Or they'll do the same and open a branch in China, rename the branch to "Hell E. Burton, Beiging" and hide the transactions through it.

Ummm... Maybe they DO hide transactions this way since a few years already?

Who would be surprised? Not DU, for sure...

[HuffleClaw]

15. WMD !!!!!

you'd think that just once they'd bother to come up with a NEW LIE. but nooooooooooo, they've just dusted off old ones and slapped a new sticker on 'em.

NEXT: watch 'em add a 'free war' provision into a new bill which the democrats will happily support with cap in hand.

[Scurrilous]

17. Putin warns against sanctions on Iran

Russian president says new international sanctions against Tehran will lead to dead end. Standoff over nuclear program should be resolved through talks, he adds

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3464211,00.html

<snip>

"Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned strongly against new international sanctions on Iran, saying they would lead to a dead end.

Putin, in Portugal for a summit with leaders of the European Union, said the standoff over Iran's nuclear program should be resolved through talks, pointing at North Korea as an example.

"Why worsen the situation and bring it to a dead end by threatening sanctions or military action," Putin said in a veiled reference to the US push for harsher international sanctions against Tehran.

"Running around like a madman with a razor blade, waving it around, is not the best way to resolve the situation," the Russian leader said.

Putin spoke after the Bush administration imposed sweeping new sanctions against Iran, cutting off key Iranian military and banking institutions from the American financial system for Tehran's alleged support for terrorism and nuclear weapons ambitions. Putin did not directly refer to the US actions."


Dodd Criticizes Bush Adm On Iran

"Dodd just released a statement on the Bush Administration's announcement that it's designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization -- and also on, it seems, Hillary Clinton's vote last month for Lieberman-Kyl.

"I recognize the obvious threat a nuclear Iran poses to the region and beyond, and that we must stop Iran's continued support for international terrorism," Dodd said. "Unfortunately, the action taken by the Administration today comes in the context of escalating rhetoric and drumbeat to military action against Iran. I am deeply concerned that once again the President is opting for military action as a first resort."

Dodd adds in the statement, "The aggressive actions taken today by the Administration absent any corresponding diplomatic action is exactly what we all should have known was coming when we considered our vote on the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, and smacks, frankly, of a dangerous step toward armed confrontation with Iran."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/25/430829.aspx