Page 5 - Us Iran Tensions

EU foreign ministers to discuss air defence for Ukraine, Iran sanctions

After a video conference of NATO defence ministers with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, Stoltenberg said he expected announcements soon

Thai firm to pay $20 mn to settle with US over Iran sanctions violation

A Bangkok -based plastics firm has agreed to pay USD20 million to settle with the US over 467 egregious violations of Iran sanctions, the US Treasury announced on Friday. SCG Plastics Co. used US banks to process USD291 million in sales of Iranian high-density polyethylene resin from 2017 to 2018, according to the signed settlement agreement between the firm and Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The resin, used for product bottles and industrial items, was manufactured by an Iranian joint venture owned in part, by SCG Plastics' parent company, SCG Chemicals and the National Petrochemical Company of Iran, which is a government entity. The settlement states that SCG Plastics used shipping and documentation practices that obfuscated the product's Iranian origin and Iranian parties' involvement, which caused banks to unknowingly process transfers in violation of OFAC's sanctions on Iran. As a result of these transactions, significant economic benefits were conferred to Iran'

Thai firm to pay $20 mn to settle with US over Iran sanctions violation

A Bangkok -based plastics firm has agreed to pay USD20 million to settle with the US over 467 egregious violations of Iran sanctions, the US Treasury announced on Friday. SCG Plastics Co. used US banks to process USD291 million in sales of Iranian high-density polyethylene resin from 2017 to 2018, according to the signed settlement agreement between the firm and Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The resin, used for product bottles and industrial items, was manufactured by an Iranian joint venture owned in part, by SCG Plastics' parent company, SCG Chemicals and the National Petrochemical Company of Iran, which is a government entity. The settlement states that SCG Plastics used shipping and documentation practices that obfuscated the product's Iranian origin and Iranian parties' involvement, which caused banks to unknowingly process transfers in violation of OFAC's sanctions on Iran. As a result of these transactions, significant economic benefits were conferred to Iran'

As Israel fires missiles at Iran, Elon Musk shares message of peace

The development comes after Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan

Israel launches missile strike on Iran, explosion heard in Isfahan

Israel's alleged missile strike comes after Iran's assault last Saturday, which involved over 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles

Iran asserts 'inherent right to self-defence' over Israel's aggression

Iran expressed disappointment that the UN Security Council failed to "fulfil its duty in a right, fair, unbiased and undiscriminating manner"

US, UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to weekend attack on Israel

The US and UK on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power the drones used in the April 13 attack on Israel. Additionally, the UK is targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran's drone and ballistic missile industries. We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. The action comes after US officials earlier this week warned that they were readying new sanctions in response to Iran's activity in the region and to prevent future attacks. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been quickly pushing forward legislation that would financially punish the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Iran'

Indian woman cadet onboard MSC Aries seized by Iran returns home: MEA

Ann Tessa Joseph, a woman cadet who was among the 17 Indians onboard container vessel MSC Aries that was seized by Iranian military over the weekend, returned to Cochin on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Indian mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. "With the concerted efforts of the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government, Indian deck cadet Ms Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was among the Indian crew members of container vessel MSC Aries, has landed safely at the Cochin International Airport today afternoon," it said. At the airport, Joseph was received by the regional passport officer. "The Indian mission in Tehran remains seized of the matter and is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel," the MEA said. It said the crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India. "Indian Mission is also in

US contemplates more Iran sanctions; Israel war cabinet to meet again

An Israeli government source said the war cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday had been put off until Wednesday, without elaborating

US contemplates more Iran sanctions; Israel war cabinet to meet again

An Israeli government source said the war cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday had been put off until Wednesday, without elaborating

US mulling options 'both inside and outside the UN' to monitor N Korea

The United States and its allies are discussing options both inside and outside the UN system to create a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, the American ambassador to the United Nations said on Wednesday. Russia last month vetoed a UN resolution in a move that effectively abolished monitoring by UN experts of Security Council sanctions against North Korea, which prompted Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its arms purchases from North Korea to fuel its war in Ukraine. I look forward to engaging with both the Republic of Korea and Japan, but like-minded (countries) as well, on trying to develop options both inside the UN as well as outside the UN. The point here is that we cannot allow the work that the panel of experts were doing to lapse, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a news conference in Seoul, using the formal name for South Korea. Thomas-Greenfield didn't provide specific details about US discussions with

Bob Graham, two-term former US senator and Florida governor, dies at 87

Former US Sen. and two-term Florida Gov. Bob Graham, who gained national prominence as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks and as an early critic of the Iraq war, has died. He was 87. Graham's family announced the death on Tuesday in a statement posted on X by his daughter Gwen Graham. We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a visionary leader, dedicated public servant, and even more importantly, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, the family said. Graham, who served three terms in the Senate, made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasising his opposition to the Iraq invasion. But his bid was delayed by heart surgery in January 2003, and he was never able to gain enough traction with voters to catch up, bowing out that October. He didn't seek reelection in 2004 and was replaced by Republican Mel Martinez. Graham was a man of many quirks. He perfected the

US to impose new sanctions against Iran after attack on Israel: Sullivan

Jake Sullivan said that US also expects its allies and partners to impose sanctions against Iran

US will use sanctions to disrupt Iran's 'malign' activity, says Yellen

Yellen said Washington was continuing to use economic tools to pressure Hamas, but said Treasury was emphasizing that its sanctions should not impede life-saving aid

US will use sanctions to disrupt Iran's 'malign' activity, says Yellen

Yellen said Washington was continuing to use economic tools to pressure Hamas, but said Treasury was emphasizing that its sanctions should not impede life-saving aid

Joe Biden unlikely to cut Iran's oil lifeline after Israel attack

Several analysts suggested Washington might take some action to cut Iran's oil exports in part to temper any Israeli reaction to the Iranian strikes, which could escalate the conflict

Israel's military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

The prospect of Israeli retaliation has alarmed many Iranians already enduring economic pain and tighter social and political controls since protests in 2022-23

Israel-Iran conflict: Missile attack adds to airline troubles in West Asia

Iran's attack on Israel by more than 300 missiles and drones, which were mostly shot down by Israel's US-backed missile defence system, caused chaos in the aviation industry

Will allow Indian authorities to meet crew members of seized vessel: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Tehran will allow Indian authorities to meet 17 Indian crew members of a cargo vessel that was seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Amir-Abdollahian conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a telephonic conversation on Sunday, according to an Iranian readout. In the talks, Jaishankar called for release of the Indians onboard Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries. "We are following up on the details of the seized ship and soon it will be possible for the representatives of the Indian government to meet with the crew of the said ship," the Iranian readout quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying. It said Jaishankar expressed his concern about the situation of the 17 Indian crew members and requested assistance from Iran in this regard. Special Naval Forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized 'MSC Aries' reportedly in view of its links with Israel.

Will allow Indian authorities to meet crew members of seized vessel: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Tehran will allow Indian authorities to meet 17 Indian crew members of a cargo vessel that was seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Amir-Abdollahian conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a telephonic conversation on Sunday, according to an Iranian readout. In the talks, Jaishankar called for release of the Indians onboard Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries. "We are following up on the details of the seized ship and soon it will be possible for the representatives of the Indian government to meet with the crew of the said ship," the Iranian readout quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying. It said Jaishankar expressed his concern about the situation of the 17 Indian crew members and requested assistance from Iran in this regard. Special Naval Forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized 'MSC Aries' reportedly in view of its links with Israel.