Obama Orders New Sanctions On Iran's Currency, Auto Sector, Upping Pressure Over Nuke Program

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Turning the screw on Iran and its nuclear program, the Obama administration imposed new sanctions Monday on Iran's currency and auto industry, seeking to render Iranian money useless outside the country and to cut off the regime from critical revenue sources.

The executive order from President Barack Obama broadens what is already a concerted and multifaceted sanctions campaign aimed at crippling Iran's economy, forcing it to comply with international demands that it prove its nuclear program is peaceful. The U.S. believes Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran denies.

Officials described the move as part of a dual-track effort to offer meaningful negotiations to the Iranian regime while continually upping the economic stakes.

"Even as we intensify our pressure on the Iranian government, we hold the door open to a diplomatic solution that allows Iran to rejoin the community of nations if they meet their obligations. However, Iran must understand that time is not unlimited," said White House press secretary Jay Carney, adding that more sanctions would be levied if the regime doesn't change course.

Read more: http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/c810da7913b049bab5a65f007ca542e6/US--US-Iran-Sanctions/

[cprise]

1. Notice the journalistic double-standard that feeds the war mongering

The corporate writers always use the same term in lockstep: "nuclear program".

They would never refrain from using differentiating language like "nuclear energy" or "nuclear power" when describing nuclear power plants in the west.

The U.S. believes Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran denies.

OK, so its a game of patriotism: The word of the US gov't vs a foreign one... never mind what anyone else thinks.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

2. It's not a double-standard. That's the crux of the whole dispute.

Iran is saying the program is just "nuclear energy" but there are a lot of indications that it's really a WMD program.
So the U.S. and the E.U. are saying "prove it's just peaceful nuclear energy" and Iran is saying no.

And, by the way, using economic pressure rather than beating the drums of war, is exactly how you do handle this kind of thing in a responsible way.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[cprise]

3. I'm talking about how the issue was presented

Too much nuance for a Conservative.

This site is concerned with center-to-left viewpoints and isn't as wedded to party branding as you seem to think.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. When's the invasion?

.
.
.

USA sanctioned the shit out of Iraq for years,

then invaded on false premises.

USA remains unpunished.

So - looks like they figure this is fine with the World.

Besides - who can stop this war-machine??

(sigh)

CC