Trump says new sanctions on Iran to start Monday, dials back rhetoric

By Parisa Hafezi and Nandita Bose

 

The purported wreckage of the American drone is seen displayed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran June 21, 2019. Tasnim News Agency/Handout via REUTERS

 

DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose fresh sanctions on Iran but that he wanted to make a deal to bolster its flagging economy, an apparent move to defuse tensions following the shooting down of an unmanned U.S. drone this week by the Islamic Republic.

 

On Thursday, an Iranian missile destroyed a U.S. Global Hawk surveillance drone, an incident that Washington said happened in international airspace. Trump later said he had called off a military strike to retaliate because it could have killed 150 people.

 

Tehran repeated on Saturday that the drone was shot down over its territory and said it would respond firmly to any U.S. threat.

 

Speaking in Washington on Saturday before heading to the U.S. presidential retreat at Camp David, Trump indicated the government was taking a diplomatic path to put pressure on Tehran by moving to impose new sanctions.

 

Military action was "always on the table," the president said, but he added that he was open to quickly reaching a deal with Iran that he said would bolster the country's flagging economy.

 

"We will call it 'Let's make Iran great again,'" Trump said.

 

He later wrote on Twitter from Camp David: "We are putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday. I look forward to the day that Sanctions come off Iran, and they become a productive and prosperous nation again."

 

The Trump administration has sought to use promises of economic revival to solve other thorny foreign policy challenges, including the Israel-Palestinian peace process, with the White House outlining on Saturday a plan to create a global investment fund to lift the Palestinian and neighbouring Arab state economies.

 

Both Trump and Tehran have said they are not seeking a war, but Iran has warned of a "crushing" response if attacked.

 

"Regardless of any decision they (U.S. officials) make... we will not allow any of Iran's borders to be violated. Iran will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday.

 

A senior commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards struck a similarly defiant note, in comments quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

 

"If the violation is repeated then our response will be repeated," said Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Guards' aerospace division. "It's possible that this infringement of the Americans was carried out by a general or some operators."

 

Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned a United Arab Emirates envoy on Saturday because the UAE allowed the drone to be launched from a U.S. military base on its territory, the Fars news agency reported.

 

The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, published a map on Twitter with detailed coordinates which he said showed the drone was flying over the Islamic Republic's territorial waters.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Saturday that the United States had "shown beyond any doubt" that the drone was in international airspace.

 

"When the Iranian regime decides to forgo violence and meet our diplomacy with diplomacy, it knows how to reach us," he said. "Until then, our diplomatic isolation and economic pressure campaign against the regime will intensify." 

 

He also denied reports U.S. forces would evacuate personnel from a military base in neighbouring Iraq over what military sources had said were "potential security threats."

 

FLIGHTS REROUTED

 

Tensions in the region began to worsen significantly when Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six powers and reimposed sanctions on the country. The sanctions had been lifted under the pact in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear program.

 

The United States and Iran's main regional rival Saudi Arabia have also blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers last week in the Gulf of Oman and on four tankers off the United Arab Emirates on May 12.

 

Both incidents happened near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit for global oil supplies. Iran has denied any involvement.

 

On Thursday, the Pentagon launched a long-planned cyber attack in retaliation for the oil tanker incidents, Yahoo News reported, citing former intelligence officials. The cyber strike disabled Iranian rocket launch systems, the Washington Post said on Saturday.

 

A Department of Defense spokeswoman said it would not comment on cyberspace operations, intelligence or planning.

 

World powers have called for calm and sent in envoys for talks to try to lower the temperature of a dispute that has pushed up the price of oil. [O/R]

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for a political resolution of the crisis, adding: "That is what we are working on."

 

Britain's Foreign Office said Middle East minister Andrew Murrison would visit Tehran on Sunday to raise concerns about "Iran's regional conduct and its threat to cease complying with the nuclear deal."

 

Iran has threatened to breach the deal if the European signatories to the agreement fail to salvage it by shielding Tehran from U.S. sanctions.

 

"The Europeans will not be given more time beyond July 8 to save the deal," Mousavi said, referring to Iran's deadline of 60 days that Tehran announced in May.

 

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday prohibited U.S. operators from flying in Tehran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. Saudi Arabian Airlines joined some other international airlines on Saturday in taking related precautions.

 

Iran said on Saturday that its airspace was "safe and secure" for all planes to cross, Tasnim reported.

 

Separately, Iran has executed a former contract employee for the aerospace organization of the Ministry of Defence on charges of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the IRIB news agency reported on Saturday.

 

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Nandita Bose in Washington; Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Alistair Smout in London, Babak Dehghanpisheh in Geneva, and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Parisa Hafezi and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Alison Williams, Chizu Nomiyama and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-06-23

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

 

 

32 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He later wrote on Twitter from Camp David: "We are putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday. I look forward to the day that Sanctions come off Iran, and they become a productive and prosperous nation again."

"on Monday" Hmm, let's see if we get by Sunday night without Trump flip flopping once again and stating that he's decided to hold off on imposing new and additional sanctions.

 

Wonder what it's like to play God! Enjoy it Donald. This POTUS thing is only a temporary luck-out.

Popmeo and Bolton not getting their war yet they will be pissed. Looks like somebody else has managed to get Trump's ear for the time being, well today anyway!

The only way to bring Iran back to the negotiating table is to chock the life out of the Iranian economy, there will be not enough 'Death to America and death to Israel' chantings and rhetorics and chest beatings by the Mullahs to fill up hungry bellies of angry Iranians who will rise if pushed far enough...

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

"If the violation is repeated then our response will be repeated,"  "It's possible that this infringement of the Americans was carried out by a general or some operators."

Sounds just like Trump. Threaten then make conciliatory excuses.  It's well known that in Iran everyone is a boss.  Eight bosses in a room taking turns trying to out boast the others. One Kurdish guy works. Maybe Trump has again found new friends.

 

Don’t think Iran wants to play look at little Kim making Donald look the fool and the Iranians are a hell of a lot smarter than a hillbilly Asian despot

2 minutes ago, Tug said:

Don’t think Iran wants to play look at little Kim making Donald look the fool and the Iranians are a hell of a lot smarter than a hillbilly Asian despot

I see you haven't been there....

No I haven’t but the Iranians have a long storyed history they aren’t fools don’t think they will play donalds game

To solve nuclear problems such as North Korea and Iran requires the coordinated cooperation of all nations. Trump's cowboy solo acts only bring harm to world peace. Trump is just a megalomaniac self-promoter and unfit as president.

18 minutes ago, Tug said:

No I haven’t but the Iranians have a long storyed history they aren’t fools don’t think they will play donalds game

 

Having a "long storyed history" doesn't necessarily have much to do with a current regime's smarts.

17 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Having a "long storyed history" doesn't necessarily have much to do with a current regime's smarts.

Agreed I have only to look at my country that being said there is in any country a well of awareness of their history let us hope that wins out in both our countrys

23 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

It would be great if Donald "made Iran great again". Defusing tensions and avoiding armed conflict and bloodshed on innocent people is always a good thing. There are 2 questions, though:

- will he be able to do that?

- will his interest-backed advisors allow him to?

You might ask does Donald care?he is a very vindictive person

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Saturday that the United States had "shown beyond any doubt" that the drone was in international airspace.

When did you prove this, pompeo? 

Edited June 23, 20197 yr by Bluespunk

57 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Having a "long storyed history" doesn't necessarily have much to do with a current regime's smarts.

Actually, I think they're playing Trump very well. It's clear now that he really doesn't want to get into a shooting war because of the threat to his reelection.

16 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Actually, I think they're playing Trump very well. It's clear now that he really doesn't want to get into a shooting war because of the threat to his reelection.

 

Actually, unless you can clearly demonstrate this relates to the Iranians "long storyed history" then your post got little to do with mine.

15 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

Having a "long storyed history" doesn't necessarily have much to do with a current regime's smarts.

Actually, I think they're playing Trump very well. It's clear now that he really doesn't want to get into a shooting war because of the threat to his reelection.

They've played the international community well for decades with their nuclear aspirations.  Now they're playing Trump so well their economy is nearing collapse.

What will come out of Trumps mouth next 

God told me to start a war

42 minutes ago, rabas said:

They've played the international community well for decades with their nuclear aspirations.  Now they're playing Trump so well their economy is nearing collapse.

And Trump's playing it so well, that he finds himself in a pickle. Attacking Iran poses a risk to his reelection. We know how desperate he is to de-escalate because he actually praised Iran for downing a drone instead of a plane with Americans on it. Think of it. An American President thanks what he claims is the biggest terrorist threat in the world for shooting down an American aircraft. I think it's clear he wants some face saving resolution to this. But with all those American troops as targets in Iraq, he's going to find that's not going to be easy.

5 hours ago, neeray said:

"on Monday" Hmm, let's see if we get by Sunday night without Trump flip flopping once again and stating that he's decided to hold off on imposing new and additional sanctions.

 

Wonder what it's like to play God! Enjoy it Donald. This POTUS thing is only a temporary luck-out.

Well congratulations you seem to finally be learning about the workings of the American Political System and you are correct “this POTUS thing is only temporary”, reason being is that currently our president’s are limited to serving two terms. President Trump’s second term will begin following the upcoming elections. As far as luck-out goes, seems you have some more learning to do, but have no fear President Trump will school you in the upcoming election!

Keep America Great! 

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

When did you prove this, pompeo? 

I would like to hear from the Secretary of Defense on the matter.

Oh wait, there's none.

The last one General Mattis quit/retired because he disagreed with Trump's military strategies.

Just now, CaptRon2 said:

Well congratulations you seem to finally be learning about the workings of the American Political System and you are correct “this POTUS thing is only temporary”, reason being is that currently our president’s are limited to serving two terms. President Trump’s second term will begin following the upcoming elections. As far as luck-out goes, seems you have some more learning to do, but have no fear President Trump will school you in the upcoming election!

Keep America Great! 

Another visitor from the future! Got any stock tips?

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

he was open to quickly reaching a deal with Iran that he said would bolster the country's flagging economy.

Wasn't that the G5+1 nuclear deal that Trump quit?

He can start renegotiations by first renewing U.S. commitments to the original G5+1 nuclear deal without preconditions. In that way Trump will restore trust in U.S. negotiations by having the backing of the G4+1. Otherwise, Iran has no intention to let Trump grandstand himself as the hero who brought Iran to its knees.

 

I don't even think people know how bad this could get. Imagine an entire country with a strong military essentially turning into terrorists who could explicitly target American citizens. Iran could make Vietnam look like a playground. 

 

It is just too easy too. Leave the alone! <deleted>!? Why is that so difficult? They are not on offense by any stretch of the imagination. 

Next thing you know, Trump will be virtually thanking Iran for shooting down the drone, instead of other targets. Oh, wait.

 

Quote

“There was a plane with 38 people yesterday. Did you see that? I think that's a big story. They had it in their sights, and they didn't shoot it down. I think they were very wise not to do that. And we appreciate that they didn't do that. I think that was a very wise decision,”

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/449845-trump-iran-very-wise-not-to-shoot-down-manned-plane

3 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Another visitor from the future! Got any stock tips?

Of course I am a visitor from the future, yet your prediction “But with all those American troops as targets in Iraq, he's going to find that's not going to be easy” is not a prediction?

Seems  you are a bit of a hypocrite but judging from the actions of most of you lunatic lefties that is normal behavior in your world.

 

13 minutes ago, CaptRon2 said:

You have to be kidding, that’s the best you have? Absolutely nothing to do with my statement, but at least you had the opportunity to inject some meaningless negativity into the discussion, so well done, you can consider it a good day for the lefties.

My post was directly relevant to your comment, but I guess you consider attack as the best form of defence. However, you do come across as not a happy chappy.

 

Keep banging on about trump. but the fact it's glaringly obvious trump is unfit to represent the Office of the President of the USA.

 

 

My take of events is that the US has been unable to convince other strategic countries to support the US policies in the current situation. The many may agree on cause for suspicion re' nuclear ambitions but in the absence of more than consider alternatives that do not pose such immediate and disastrous potential impact on oil supplies and thus the global economy which is already under stress due to the US China trade debacle.

It is more than likely that if the situation escalates to war then it  would rapidly embroil a much broader lengthy conflict in the Middle East rather than a simple subjugation of Iran.

It just may be that the US has quite rightly been reminded that the incessant use of the term "looking after US interests" in the region is not a global priority given that many other nations are also present in the general area who are not willing to be pawns nor sacrificial lambs in any sense.

Further sanctions by the US with sanctimonious suggestions of re establishing Iran following expected capitulation will more likely be seen by the Iranians as an incentive for further defiance.

It seems  conveniently ignored that the Iran /US relationship has been soured from when the last Shah was ousted after being assisted into power by the CIA displacing both British and Russian interests.

To date Iran has been subject to sanctions by the US for over 40 years.

The counter revolution meant the US was forced to relinquish a 50% share of Iran's oil reserves.

Up until  1979 the US was also assisting Iran with nuclear non weapon development and a significant part of that original infrastructure still exists but can readily be included  as evidence of more clandestine current development.

Iran may be renegade but the US should  seek a renewed global concensus with Iran instead of relentlessly pushing  for an outcome purely in it's own favor. There may be  grudging signs of such an outcome. Or  not!

 

 

 

 

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

He later wrote on Twitter from Camp David: "We are putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday. I look forward to the day that Sanctions come off Iran, and they become a productive and prosperous nation again."

...but that starts with an end of the Iranian theocracy and a return of Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran to his rightful place as heir to the Iranian monarchy."

Trump should have finished his sentence.

Troll posts and inflammatory replies have been removed. 

 

Edit:  Post violating fair use policy by making a quote, but not supporting link has been removed along with replies.   

Edited June 23, 20197 yr by Scott

On 6/23/2019 at 1:21 PM, CaptRon2 said:

Of course I am a visitor from the future, yet your prediction “But with all those American troops as targets in Iraq, he's going to find that's not going to be easy” is not a prediction?

Seems  you are a bit of a hypocrite but judging from the actions of most of you lunatic lefties that is normal behavior in your world.

 

And you're the guy who was complaining, with justification, about some on the left calling Trump supporters names. I was actually hoping that you were the rational reasonable non naming calling Trump supporter. Instead, you turn out to be just another hypocrite.

As for what you call my prediction, it's simply an observation about of the current situation. They are vulnerable. Top military brass warned Trump about this.

If I had said something like Iraq will triumph! or Trump will defeat the Iranians!, that's what's called a prediction. But predicting the result of an election that's about `16 months, is just taunting. 

Edited June 24, 20197 yr by bristolboy