sanctions

Iran sanctions 15 U.S. firms, citing human rights and Israel ties

Tehran - Arab Today

Iran has imposed sanctions on 15 U.S. companies for alleged human rights violations and cooperating with Israel, the state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday. The agency quoted Iran's foreign ministry as saying the companies had "flagrantly violated human rights" and cooperated with Israel against the Palestinians. It was not immediately clear if any of the companies, which included defenseRead more

Sudan’s Al-Bashir heads for Saudi Arabia

Khartoum - Arab Today

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir left for Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Both leaders are expected to discuss relations between the two countries and a number of issues of mutual concern. It came after US former President Barack Obama has ordered last week lifting of trade sanctions on Sudan, which was first handedRead more

Iranian president: his government undermined sanctions through JCPOA

Tehran - Arab Today

President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that his government managed to undermine the foundations of sanctions by signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Addressing a provincial administrative meeting on Monday, he said his government was after removing the foundations of the sanctions not the sanctions themselves, IRNA News Agency reported on Monday. He said it managed to getRead more

Palestinian Foreign Ministry Calls for Israel to Face Sanctions for Settlement Construction

Ramallah - Arab Today

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement Monday, called upon the international community to impose 'realistic’ sanctions against Israel for its continuing settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territory, Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported. The Ministry called upon the United Nations Security Council to uphold its responsibility with regard to Israeli settlement activities, which it said undermine theRead more

South Korea Welcomes US Sanctions on North Korean Human Rights Violators

Seoul - Arab Today

South Korea on Thursday "welcomed" the United States' move to impose sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and other high ranking officials for human rights violations, expressing hopes that the move will help the world better recognize the deplorable way the reclusive country treats its people. The U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted 23 officials and entities, including Kim, for theirRead more

Russia Extends Ban on Western Food Products Until End of 2017

Moscow - Arab Today

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that prolongs economic sanctions on some Western products from August of this year until the end of 2017. A ban on importing certain agricultural produce, foods and raw materials from countries that have sanctioned Russia was first introduced in the summer of 2014, Russia Today reported. The latest decree, aimed at "protectingRead more

South Korea to Keep Sanctions on North Korea

Seoul - Arab Today

South Korea will use sanctions against North Korea until they succeed in discouraging Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons, its foreign ministry said Friday. The pledge comes two days after North Korea test-fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles in defiance of international sanctions designed to deter its development of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. "We will consistently implement sanctions against NorthRead more

Germany’s foreign minister favours gradual phasing-out of Russia sanctions

Moscow - Arab Today

The European Union should gradually phase out sanctions imposed against Russia over the Ukraine crisis if there is substantial progress in the peace process, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was quoted by Sputnik as saying on Sunday. His comments reflect divisions within Germany’s ruling right-left coalition over policy towards Russia. Steinmeier’s Social Democrats (SPD) back a more conciliatory stance towardsRead more

EU rolls over Crimea sanctions for a year

Brussels - Arab Today

The European Union on Friday rolled over for another year sanctions imposed to protest Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which the bloc deems illegal. The announcement comes amid growing speculation the bloc will in coming days also renew much wider economic sanctions against Russia for aiding and abetting pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. “The European Council (of memberRead more

South Korea, US Closely Cooperating on Implementing North Korea Sanctions

Seoul - Arab Today

Seoul and Washington are in close policy coordination to implement the latest strong financial sanctions against North Korea's nuclear programs, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew said Friday. The two allies will strengthen cooperation in revealing Pyongyang's means and channels to access the global financial system and secure money for the sake of its nuclear weapons development, Lew saidRead more