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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019.Trump imposes new U.S. sanctions on Iran's supreme leader, other top officials
By Steve Holland and Stephen Kalin WASHINGTON/RIYADH©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
48 Comments
SuperLib
This is called the sunset clause, which is part of every deal. It's because countries don't sign away their rights in perpetuity, as common sense would dictate. It was a mindless talking point created by the Right to be repeated by people who lack critical thinking skills.
But hey, good luck to Trump. Maybe he can get Iran to agree to not develop nukes for 10,000 years.
Serrano
Oh, my!
Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Won’t Make Iran Yield
Well then, I guess they're doomed to economic misery. They're not going to get a nuke.
https://www.dw.com/en/how-trumps-sanctions-are-crippling-irans-economy/a-49335908
Declare the whole of the Middle East a nuclear free zone.
Israel surrenders its nuclear weapons, Saudi ( Arabia ) returns theirs to Pakistan and Iran does not develop them.
Saudi Arabia has nukes? The only thing that would happen with this deal would be Israel giving up theirs. Iran will develop them unless we keep the economic pressure on them with sanctions or go to war. Sanctions, then, right?
Iran has the upper hand. Its action/provocation usually just end up with sanction. This time, like many other times before, the US slaps some more sanctions and calls it a day. Another Tom and Jerry episode.
What's your solution?
Donny (pefers) to starve people to death instead of bomb them.
The Iranian mis-leadership is the one starving people. All they have to do is get with the program and sanctions will be lifted.
But look at Trump's failure record. He failed at the wall (which can be climbed over with ladders anyway)
nishikat, you really should refrain from the ladders BS until you can provide a video of yourself using one to climb over one of the good portions of the wall. You can hide your face but you have to wear a T-shirt with "nishikat" on it.
nandakandamanda
Looks as if the Ayatollah is not his type either.
So, it's "No more Mr nice man!", eh, Donald?
One problem is that Iran has been trying to set off Shiite revolutions throughout the Middle East, which certainly does not sit well with any of the Arab royal houses, especially the House of Saud which has been feeling both subtle and not-so-subtle leverage being used against them. Iran could pull back their troops and advisers from Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and stop their weaponry support for Hezbollah and the Houti, but pride will prevent them from making such a choice. So in a Sumo bout, which side will get toppled?
One more problem is that Iran is not just going to go away anywhere. They control one whole side of the 'Persian' Gulf (Arabian Gulf). The USA needs to somehow keep good relations with that land way into the future. At the moment everything the US does seems to be building up good karma with the Sunni Arabs, but bad karma with the Shiite Persians.
A difficult tightrope to walk upon.
Toasted Heretic
Thoughts and wishes with the good people of Iran, who are bound to suffer even more.
Chip Star
Despite assailing his Democratic predecessor for waging a "cruel and heartless war on American energy," for example, Trump can brag about U.S. energy supremacy thanks to the sector's growth in the Obama years.
It's false to say the U.S. never collected a dime in tariffs on Chinese goods before he took action. They are simply higher in some cases than they were before. It's also wrong to suggest that the tariffs are being paid by China. Tariff money coming into the treasury is mainly from U.S. businesses and consumers, not from China. Tariffs are primarily if not entirely a tax paid domestically.
As he's done many times before, Trump is crediting himself with things that happened under Obama.
Here's what the government's U.S. Energy Information Administration says: "The United States has been the world's top producer of natural gas since 2009, when U.S. natural gas production surpassed that of Russia, and the world's top producer of petroleum hydrocarbons since 2013, when U.S. production exceeded Saudi Arabia's."
the annual rate of job growth has been within the same range since roughly 2011. It was 1.6% through May.
The economy grew 2.9% in 2018 — the same pace it reached in 2015 under Obama — and simply hasn't hit historically high growth rates.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ap-fact-check-silent-partner-120134088.html
Chip Star
Donny refers to starve people to death instead of bomb them.
rlperez@hotmail.com.au
Should be "(and when has the US ever abided by the UN?)
rlperez@hotmail.com.au
zichi: Congress has lost control of Trump, the UN is totally ineffectual (ahd when has the US ever abided by the US?) and the European allies are spineless and will do nothing. Trump will continue to provoke Iran. It is up to the people to protest and let their government know that they have had enough of US domination.
Will Goode
And they want lapdog England to join in, Trump needs a war, to have any chance of winning the next Election, so let millions suffer.
ReturningGrace
Iran has the upper hand. Its action/provocation usually just end up with sanction. This time, like many other times before, the US slaps some more sanctions and calls it a day. Another Tom and Jerry episode.
plasticmonkey
Interesting how some posters are unable to defend their position without unsubstantiated blanket characterizations of Democrats or liberals.
rlperez@hotmail.com.au
This is no more than a repeat of Iraq/WMD, no more than the US trying to show the world, particularly China and Russia, it can do as it wants. Forget what the international inspectors say, forget what international inspectors say, Trump supporters know better, they have "inside" information. I assume all those betting the war drum will enlist for joining the fight.
We, the people, need to put a stop to the constant warmongering by the US, we need to get some stability and security in our lives rather that constant wars to prop up US domination.
bass4funk
Like how? Start, I got my popcorn in hand.
If you can’t even get a functioning economy to at least a minimum of 3% GDP, then frankly you’re a horrible president. It’s always about the economy as James Carville once said. Everything else is a side issue. It’s so far on the horizon the Democrats promoting socialism, they will not beat this president, if they’re going to run on that.
ROFL! That was George Carlin funny, good one, we needed that laugh.
bass4funk
Now compare that to Biden or even Pelosi in one year!
Being honest, making mistakes are all part of the World of politics, Trump is not immune to that, even Obama wasn’t.
He really doesn’t need to explain it in all honesty, all you can do is just look at the stats his record and look at what he’s done with unemployment and one of the lowest compared to Obama’s record it under performing and want to slowest recovery in eight years
Uh-Huh, ROFL! Oh, I hope the Democrats will take that and run with that, that will make it so much easier for Trump to sail right past them.
Silvafan
Dump makes President Obama seem like the best Presidential negotiator to ever live! With a terrible Republican President before him and the worst President after him, President Obama will be seen as one of the best Presidents ever! Keep up the good work, Donny boy!
Buwahahaha!
Silvafan
Oh, my!
Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Won’t Make Iran Yield
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/why-trumps-sanctions-iran-arent-working/589288/
nishikat
But look at Trump's failure record. He failed at the wall (which can be climbed over with ladders anyway) and illegal crossings are at a record high. He will fail at not having a war...and Europe will be like...this is YOUR problem. Trump will have to have a war if Iran starts building nuclear weaponry soon.
Other failures, record accelerating debt. Record high health care costs. Failed Muslim ban
Hello Kitty 321
Next move is the Trump war
That should be, 'Next move is the Trumped up war.'
Serrano
Next move is the Trump war
Um, Trump has given us a pretty solid indication he doesn't want war with Iran or anyone else.
For the Iranians, Trump's sanctions is a joke!
Really! Oh my...
Six charts that show how hard US sanctions have hit Iran
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48119109
elephant200
For the Iranians, Trump's sanctions is a joke! The Iranian hardliners will be further strengthened as dovish Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has been humiliated! Well that doesn't matter anyway! Trump just hates Iran and all Iranians!
nishikat
And now they can do that anytime. Next move is the Trump war and this is happening under Trump's watch.
Silvafan
LOL! 0-2 Belrick
Trump struggles to explain why Obama’s jobs numbers were better than his
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-struggles-explain-why-obamas-152907604.html
Obama is a silent partner in Trump's boasts
https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/ap-fact-check-obama-is-a-silent-partner-in-trump's-boasts
plasticmonkey
It doesn't matter how clearly this is demonstrated to Trumpsters. They still won't believe it.
Nice deflection. Proud?
Belrick
Yeah, higher unemployment, lower trade numbers, higher house repossessions, higher medical costs, forced medical insurance, higher taxes.... the list is long. I don't think you understand the definition of "productive".
Silvafan
LOL! It is a movie called "the idiot President"
US government: Iran in compliance with nuclear deal
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/228299
Belrick
Buwahahaha! What Disney show did you see that on?
Silvafan
17 times Donald Trump said one thing and then denied it
https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/06/17-things-donald-trump-said-and-then-denied-saying/
I love how the Trumpers always talk about him being honest and direct, but he is always on TV denying he said everything!
LOL!
Serrano
None of this would be happening if Trump hadn’t yanked the US out of the deal with Iran, which Iran was in compliance.
Apparently, CrazyJoe, you are still unaware that that deal would have allowed Iran to eventually get a nuclear weapon.
A lot of people on both sides of the aisle in Congress have respect for Rand Paul. Let's see what he says about Trump's handling of Iran -
Rand Paul: 'I'm proud of Trump' for handling of Iran threat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVyFQSY2kQ0
Silvafan
@ bass
Really???
Anti-money laundering staff at Deutsche Bank flagged Trump
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-kushner-deutsche-bank-money-laundering-specialists-new-york-times-1.5142279
Donald Trump Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Trump University Settlement
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/politics/trump-university.html
Trump’s Wealth Built on Stiffing Scores of Contractors, Businesses and Employees for Years, Report Finds
https://www.alternet.org/2016/06/trumps-wealth-built-stiffing-scores-contractors-businesses-and-employees-years-report/
bass4funk
The last administration had a leg on that, Obamacare...remember?
Coming from the people that tried and are still trying to usurp power, overturn the election and take down a duly elected President, yeah...forget the Constitution....
Exactly!
The left had that or they thought they did with the last administration.
Welcome to the world of politics.
SuperLib
Iran has been certified to be in compliance by all players, including the US and the UN. I'm sorry you didn't know that, but really, let's move on. There is no debate here.
PTownsend
Tearing down US systems, particularly Constitutionally based ones that the democratic republic was built on, has been the consistent message of Trump and the GoTrumpers (US and 'foreign'). Those who want this have groups they call the 'deep state', 'globalists', 'international bankers', 'socialists', etc. as enemies. Many want a messiah to save them from their enemies - real and imagined - and their fears of existence. But Trump? A corrupt, bumbling buffoon who's first concern is his own pocketbook?
Cults of personality have always been with us. When was the last successful one?
Silvafan
Trump Today: President unveils new sanctions against Iran as he calls on China to patrol Strait of Hormuz
https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/6bc0aef4-e206-3985-989f-a1070ab5a2d0/trump-today%3A-president.html
What an idiot!
bass4funk
No, I believe them over the Iranian intelligence.
No, Congress, Plastic....sigh...
They don’t have to trust him, either way. The Iranians either denuclearize or they’ll suffer more harder hitting sanctions. Good.
Wha....?
Silvafan
Dump should of stayed laundering money for criminals, conning people at fake real estate school, and not paying business partners!
Wow! No wonder Iran does trust Dump workout a deal. He already broke the last one!
Silvafan
The same goes for the con man in the Oval office. Iran has no reason to trust someone who broke the deal!
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/09/26/Joint-Chiefs-Dunford-Iran-complying-with-nuclear-deal/8961506441946/
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/09/26/Joint-Chiefs-Dunford-Iran-complying-with-nuclear-deal/8961506441946/
Plasticmonkey beat me to it!
plasticmonkey
So you believe Saudi and Israeli intelligence over the conclusions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What a patriot you are.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/09/26/Joint-Chiefs-Dunford-Iran-complying-with-nuclear-deal/8961506441946/
I didn't know that the U.S. military leadership were liberals.
SuperLib
Yep.
Things were much more productive under Obama. Then Humpty Trumpty came along, broke it, and now he can't put it back together.
The man simply fails on the world stage.
bass4funk
Yeah, liberals believe that. What a bunch of bologna! Saudi and Mossad intelligence tells a very different story.
Well, not really, but thankfully Trump got rid of that crap and if the Iranians really wanted to show good Will they didn’t have to threaten or start enriching, they could have came to the table and to talk and prove the US wrong, but now we see regardless of a ripped deal or not, their intentions are still the same. We see right through them.
lincolnman
Caption to above photo:
Reporter: Mr President, how big a whopper was it when you said the other day that you didn't know about the casualty estimates until 30 minutes before the military strike on Iran was to begin?
Trump: Oh, about this big...
Pence (thinking): This guy is toast - I need Karen to start picking out drapes for the Oval Office...
CrazyJoe
None of this would be happening if Trump hadn’t yanked the US out of the deal with Iran, which Iran was in compliance. But because Trump rules by spite and just had to destroy anything Obama touched, we find ourselves in the current predicament and all alone because our allies don’t trust us.
bass4funk
Proof please.
Here we go....
Don't worry the Russians claimed the Arctic circle for themselves. There’s enough oil for both countries.
Not only with Trump, it’s always about money in the end everything, Trump is not the only President past or present that doesn’t make this a priority. Now the media in their hatred is zeroing on this, but this is a normal and strategic process.
Oh, good God, give it a rest with the tax talk. It’s not about him and no one cares at this point except Nadler.
PTownsend
The US government working with the British government (primarily for the benefit of British Petroleum) led a regime change in Iran in order to have greater control over Iran's oil and gas.
Trump and his neo-cons are trying for regime change part 2. For the benefit of their favored global oil and gas corporations.
Russia's long wanted Iran's resources. Great Game era). Putin needs his oil and gas corporations to have greater control of markets. China needs more oil and gas. Will empires collide?
It's all about Trump's money with Trump. Maybe if he'd show his most recent tax info the public could see how much he's invested in big oil. And big war.
Wallace Fred
The most inept countries in this known galaxy. No kajones at all.
Yubaru
And conveniently missing from this article is the tweet Trump made about China getting something like 90% of its oil from the region and Japan in the neighborhood of 80% (sorry not 100% sure on the numbers) and what stuck out is Trumps assertions that the US is not being compensated for patrolling the area.
It's all about money with Trump!