U.S. announces new sanctions against IranFebruary 17, 2012 - 11:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States announced new sanctions on Iran. According to Yahoo News, the Treasury Department announced Thursday, Feb 16, it is sanctioning Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), accusing it of sponsoring human rights abuses in both Iran and Syria, as well as being a sponsor of terrorism. "Today we have designated the MOIS for abusing the basic human rights of Iranian citizens and exporting its vicious practices to support the Syrian regime's abhorrent crackdown on its own population," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen said in a Treasury Department press release Thursday. "The action came as key Washington lawmakers pressed for additional measures to further cut the Islamic republic off from the global financial network. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), a member of the Senate Banking committee, said Thursday he will meet in Washington next week with the general counsel of the Brussels-based SWIFT network to discuss cutting off Iranian banks from the financial clearinghouse. The Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) handles most international financial transactions between banks. Severing ties with Iranian banks could make it difficult for the government to sell oil, which is a huge source of its funding. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. |