Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Iran’s Top Diplomat

[TheCount]

The Trump administration took the unusual step on Wednesday of placing sanctions on Iran’s foreign minister, essentially cutting off the clearest avenue for talks with Iran by punishing the man who negotiated the 2015 nuclear agreement (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-deal-is-reached-after-long-negotiations.html?module=inline).

Senior administration officials described the foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif — an American-educated diplomat who is well connected throughout the United States — as the “propaganda arm” of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In withdrawing last year from the nuclear accord (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html?module=inline), the administration argued that the move was intended to open negotiations. But with Mr. Zarif sidelined, it was unclear who else might serve as an experienced intermediary for Tehran in any potential talks. The administration has already imposed sanctions on the country’s remaining power centers, Ayatollah Khamenei and the elite military organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who had hinted at the move weeks ago, said it was intended to send a message to Iran: “Javad Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran’s supreme leader and is the regime’s primary spokesperson around the world.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/world/middleeast/trump-iran-sanctions-zarif.html

[TheCount]

It couldn't possibly be because he said inconvenient things on Twitter, could it?

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[TheCount]

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[Swordsmyth]

Iran's FM Zarif Was Secretly Invited By Rand Paul To Meet Trump In Oval Office (https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-08-03/irans-fm-zarif-was-secretly-invited-rand-paul-meet-trump-oval-office) https://www.zerohedge.com/s3/files/styles/teaser_small/public/2019-08/trump%20and%20paul.jpg?itok=ujWvQYyT (https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-08-03/irans-fm-zarif-was-secretly-invited-rand-paul-meet-trump-oval-office)

After rejecting the surprise overture for direct negotiations, Zarif was sanctioned this week by US Treasury.

[Origanalist]

Childishness.

[Swordsmyth]

Childishness.
Iran is acting childish.

[Origanalist]

Iran is acting childish.

How so?

[Swordsmyth]

How so?
By refusing to talk.

[Origanalist]

America, pulls out of nuclear deal, imposes sanctions, gets brits to hijack oil tanker, rattles sabre, brings troops into region.

Iran, childish for not talking.

[Zippyjuan]

America, pulls out of nuclear deal, imposes sanctions, gets brits to hijack oil tanker, rattles sabre, brings troops into region.

Iran, childish for not talking.

US quits nuclear agreement with Iran- then sanctions Iran when they decide they may not follow it too.

[Swordsmyth]

America, pulls out of nuclear deal, imposes sanctions, gets brits to hijack oil tanker, rattles sabre, brings troops into region.

Iran, childish for not talking.
I didn't say they were the only ones at fault here but they are making it worse.

[Origanalist]

I didn't say they were the only ones at fault here but they are making it worse.

Making it worse by not talking to the people who want to see them destroyed? Lol, your mind works in strange ways. I wouldn't talk either after being on the receiving end of the neo con bull rush.

[Swordsmyth]

Making it worse by not talking to the people who want to see them destroyed? Lol, your mind works in strange ways. I wouldn't talk either after being on the receiving end of the neo con bull rush.
Has talking harmed N. Korea?

Refusing to talk not only is childish but helps their enemies.

Your refusal to talk would be unwise as a matter of your own personal choice but you are not responsible for millions of citizens whose lives you would be endangering because of your pride.

[Origanalist]

Has talking harmed N. Korea?

Refusing to talk not only is childish but helps their enemies.

Your refusal to talk would be unwise as a matter of your own personal choice but you are not responsible for millions of citizens whose lives you would be endangering because of your pride.

Is Trump meeting with their "Dear Leader" and sending him letters?

Apples and oranges. Two different countries, two different leaders. I agree that he shouldn't have refused to talk, that's his job. But it might not have been his call. Either way it's childish to sanction him.

[Swordsmyth]

Is Trump meeting with their "Dear Leader" and sending him letters?

Apples and oranges. Two different countries, two different leaders. I agree that he shouldn't have refused to talk, that's his job. But it might not have been his call. Either way it's childish to sanction him.
Trump wasn't friends with Kim until they talked, they traded personal insults.

[Origanalist]

Trump wasn't friends with Kim until they talked, they traded personal insults.

Ok Forest Gump. Yes, I know that. It doesn't change the fact that imposing those meaningless sanctions was childish.