sanctions
News and updates about sanctions

Did Obama Promise no 'Snap Back' Iran Sanctions?
Senators demand State Dept. publicize letters sent by Obama to world powers apparently promising 'snap back' won't hit their companies.

Republicans Less Sure of Votes Against Iran Deal
Republican senators feel uncertain they will be able to acquire the necessary number of votes to maintain sanctions against Iran.

Switzerland Lifts Sanctions Against Iran
Switzerland announces it will officially lift sanctions against Iran on Thursday, cites the nuclear deal with Western powers.

Schumer: Iran Will be Pressured Even if Deal is Rejected
Senator Schumer says that even if the United States backs away from the deal with Iran, it still will feel pressure from sanctions.

Nuclear Deal Makes IRGC 'Key' to Entering Iranian Market
Details of deal reveal Revolutionary Guards and their firms will be 'main winners' of sanctions relief, despite leading world terrorism.

Report: China to Sell Iran Planes That May Contain Israeli Tech
Reports Thursday said that China will sell Iran advanced J-10 war planes that many analysts believe contain Israeli-designed components.

Nuclear deal has no bite
Iran Declares There Will Be No Sanctions 'Snap Back'
Iranian FM Zarif tells foreign relations council US won't be able to return sanctions, even as Israel warns 'snap back' threat is empty.

United States Widens Sanctions on Syria
New American sanctions target individuals and entities providing energy products used by the Assad regime in fighting its own people.

The Middle East They Wanted

Three Hezbollah Officials Sanctioned by United States Treasury
United States Treasury imposes sanctions on three Hezbollah military officials and a businessman tied to the group.

'Iran Was on the Verge of Giving Up Nuke Program'
Israeli official argues US conceded too many points too quickly on nuclear deal without capitalizing on Iran's severe economic crisis.

Iran Claims Sanctions Already Lifting - Starting with SWIFT
Official news says SWIFT banking ban against Iranian banks already being lifted, even though nuclear negotiations are not concluded.

Iran’s Nuclear Export Agreement
Sanctions may be the best and only weapon left to the West.

Iranian Media Outlines Nuclear Deal - And It's Very Bad Indeed
Expected deal to immediately lift all sanctions, arms embargoes against Iran and close UN files on Iranian nuclear program.

Security Official: Don't Count on Congress to Dump Iran Deal
Israelis should not put too much hope in the possibility of an Iran nuclear deal not being approved by Congress, an Israeli official said.

Putin Calls for Removal of Sanctions on Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the sanctions on Iran should be lifted as soon as possible after a deal is reached with the West.

Iran Talks Reach Critical Date
Iran and world powers must crank out deal by end of Thursday or else US Congress will double amount of time to review any final accord.

Iran Receives 13 Tons of Gold in Sanctions Relief
Repatriated gold bullion brings interim deal relief total to $12 billion, as sanctions regime fails in stopping nuclear aspirations.

Senators Trying to Impose Sanctions on Iran
Bipartisan effort in Congress before nuclear deal deadline seeks to extend sanctions and not allow US to 'unilaterally disarm.'

Former South African President Rejects Sanctions Against Israel
Former South African president F.W. de Klerk says sanctions against Israel would be "counterproductive".

Rouhani Accuses Critics of Belittling Sanctions
Iranian President hits out at critics of his drive for a nuclear deal with major powers.

Washington Sanctions Three Key Members of Hezbollah
United States Treasury sanctions three Lebanese men who are part of "key Hezbollah support network."

UN Report: Countries Hiding Iran's Sanctions Violations
UN monitors say governments are not reporting new incidents of Iran violating Security Council sanctions.

US Diplomats Reveal EU Sanctions Assault After Iran Deal
Senior diplomats expose EU sanctions list all ready to force Israel into 'peace talk' concessions; Obama is threatening to let it happen.

EU Extends Sanctions Against Assad Regime
EU extends measures against supporters of President Bashar Al-Assad for another year, adds senior Syrian military official to list.

Iran Says it Will Become an 'Energy Player' After Agreement
Government officials in Iran say a nuclear agreement will allow the country to become the number one energy player in the Middle East.

Senate Rejects Tying of Sanctions Relief for Iran with Terror
United States Senate rejects effort to tie sanctions relief for Iran with a verification that Tehran is not supporting acts of terrorism.

Wendy Sherman: 'Hold Your Horses' Before Trading with Iran
Chief American negotiator urges India and other buyers of Iranian oil to hold off until final deal is signed.

United States Sanctions 2 Top Houthis
Treasury Department places two top figures in Yemen's Houthi rebellion on its sanctions blacklist.

Rouhani Reiterates: No Deal Unless Sanctions Immediately Lifted
Iran will not sign off on its nuclear deal unless all sanctions against it are lifted on the same day, Iranian president insists.

Ya'alon: No Iran Deal Would Be Better Than What We Got
In an interview with the Washington Post, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon argues West could have done much better on the Iran deal.

Obama Advisor: Iran Will Not Be Able to Manufacture Nuclear Bomb
Speaking on Israeli networks, security adviser Ben Rhodes says US will consider all action - including military - if Iran violates deal.

Boehner: Iran Deal an 'Alarming Departure' from Obama's Goals
House Speaker says Congress must fully review the framework deal with Iran before any sanctions are lifted.

Concern Over Iran Sanctions After Menendez Charged
Whatever the fate of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, the charges he faces could stymie attempts to impose new sanctions on Iran.

Senate Votes for Amendment Making it Easier to Sanction Iran
Amendment to budget bill would establish a fund to cover the cost of imposing sanctions if Iran violates nuclear agreement.

Senate to Vote on Iran Sanctions Bill if No Deal is Reached
Senate Majority Leader says the Senate will vote on a bill to toughen sanctions on Iran if negotiators miss this month's deadline.

EU Planning Sanctions on Israel for 'Polarizing Jerusalem'
Leaked EU report blames Israel's "settlement activity" for the situation in Jerusalem, recommends sanctions.

Rouhani: The Pressure from Sanctions is Over
Iran begins producing more natural gas from field shared with Qatar, which President Rouhani says is proof Western sanctions didn't work.

Obama Administration Expects UN to Approve Deal with Iran
State Department says UN would probably endorse final deal with Iran, denies talks on removing sanctions are taking place.

Officials: World Powers Considering Lifting Iran Sanctions
Major world powers have quietly begun talks on a UN resolution to lift sanctions on Iran if a nuclear agreement is struck.

Khamenei: Iran Shall Have its Sanctions Revenge
One day, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, the tables will be turned - and Iran will be imposing sanctions.

EU Ready to Strike Israel with Sanctions One Day After Elections
Report: EU countries behind sanctions against Israel scheduled against right-wing gov't, will push for full withdrawal from Judea-Samaria.

Senate Committee Votes to Advance Iran Sanctions Bill
Senate Banking Committee votes in favor of advancing a bill toughening sanctions on Iran. Vote in full Senate not expected till March.

Livni Blames Bibi for Senators Postponing Iran Sanctions Vote
Livni claims that Netanyahu's Congress speech led to ten senators deciding to postpone a bill on new Iran sanctions.

Victory for Obama? Senators to Postpone Vote on Iran Sanctions
A group of 10 Senate Democrats tell Obama they will not vote for new sanctions against Iran on the Senate floor until late March.

Top European Diplomats Speak Out Against Iran Sanctions
A group of top European diplomats warn that imposing new sanctions on Iran at this time "would jeopardize our efforts".

Senator Menendez: Iran is Stalling, Impose New Sanctions
Democratic Senator calls for new sanctions on Iran even after Obama promised to veto them in State of the Union.

Senators Unveil Toned Down Iran Sanctions Bill
Mark Kirk and Robert Menendez revise their Iran sanctions bill so that it gradually imposes sanctions if no deal reached by July 1.

Obama Reiterates: I Will Veto New Sanctions on Iran
President Obama says he will veto proposed bipartisan legislation to impose new sanctions on Iran so long as negotiations remain underway.

Senators Plan to Push Ahead with Iran Sanctions
Senator Bob Corker says lawmakers plan to press ahead with Iran sanctions package, despite Obama's objection to the idea.

Republican-Controlled Congress to Challenge Obama on Iran
Republicans say the Senate will vote within weeks on a bill to impose more sanctions on Iran, despite Obama's objection.

Iran 'Illicitly' Purchasing Material for Heavy Water Reactor
UN diplomats say Iran may be violating sanctions by llicitly stepping up purchases for its heavy water reactor in Arak.

State Dept: Reports of Sanctions Against Israel 'Unfounded'
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki denies Washington is considering sanctions against Israel over its construction plans.

AIPAC Wants Tougher Sanctions on Iran
Pro-Israel lobby urging the United States to reinstate all economic penalties on Iran suspended during recent diplomacy.

EU Extends Iran Sanctions Relief
Ease in sanctions extends to next June 30, as Khamenei says US and 'European colonialist' attempts to stop nuclear Iran have failed.

Iran Using Chinese Bank to Transfer Money to its Elite Force
New intelligence report reveals Iran has been using a Chinese bank to transfer funds to companies linked with its elite Quds Force.

Report: Kerry Threatens Abbas with Sanctions Over UN Bid
Sources tell London-based newspaper that Kerry has threatened PA with financial and political sanctions.

EU threatens sanctions
Secret EU Document Reveals Israel Sanctions Policy
EU has distributed document to member-states outlining punishments against Israel for 'red lines' - like Jerusalem construction.

Congressmen: Bad Deal with Iran? We'll Increase Sanctions
Senators Menendez and Kirk warn Obama they will work to increase sanctions on Iran if a bad deal is reached.
