On Monday, the U.S. government warned that it would impose sanctions on any international financial institution that engages in transactions with Iran or the Iranian bankingsector.
“Foreign financial institutions that continue to engage in transactions with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions may face sanctions at any time, without warning, and must take immediate steps to terminate these activities and relationships,” the U.S. Department of the Treasury stated in a press release.
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The Houthis attacked airports in Saudi Arabia
According to the statement, the Iranian government is using “parallel banking channels” to circumvent U.S. sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department is calling on international financial institutions to identify and avoid such “channels.”
The U.S., together with Israel, launched a large-scale attack on Iran on February 28, killing the country’s leaders and demanding that the government of the Islamic Republic put an end to all activities related to the country’s nuclear energy program.
Tehran retaliated by targeting Washington’s allies in the Gulf and closing the Strait of Hormuz, a move that sent energy prices and the prices of other essential goods—particularly fertilizers—skyrocketing.
Since late August, the U.S. has intensified its campaign to economically isolate Iran, warning its allies and others that they will face sanctions if they continue to do business with the Iranian government.
The Treasury Department announced a series of new sanctions as part of the offensive, targeting the financial sector, cryptocurrencies, rail transport, road transport, and industry in Iran.
It also announced measures against two banks—one based in the United Arab Emirates, the other in Turkey—for the alleged assistance they provided to Tehran.
Negotiations with the U.S. are “pointless,” says Iran’s
President
Negotiations with the U.S. government are “pointless,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeskian, according to Iranian state television IRIB.
“So far, they have attacked us three times following talks,” a fact that “shows they are not seeking dialogue,” he said, according to IRIB.
“Negotiations make no sense with an enemy that commits murders on a daily basis, imposes sanctions, exerts pressure, and reneges on its commitments,” added the Iranian president.
More than seven months after the start of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, talks between Washington and Tehran appear to have reached another impasse.
Despite the ceasefire in April, despite the signing of the so-called memorandum of understanding in June, and despite the indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September, the U.S. and Iran remain at odds over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, frequently exchanging threats and attacks.
On Sunday, Iran’s top diplomat stressed that there is no “military solution” to the war in the Middle East, “nor any solution based on new sanctions.”
“If our enemies choose once again the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even greater force,” Abbas Araghchi said, addressing foreign ambassadors in Tehran.
“Only negotiations based on justice and equality will allow a solution to be found to end this war and the illegal and unjust attack against Iran,” he added.
Americans and Iranians held talks in late September in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. Iran submitted a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—now at the heart of the conflict—within seven days, in exchange primarily for the lifting of U.S. economic sanctions against it.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the proposal. He did, however, leave the door open for continued indirect negotiations, without ruling out the resumption of airstrikes against Iran in the near future.
At the same time, Washington continues and intensifies what it calls an economic war against Tehran, imposing new sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s aviation sector.
On the ground, there has been a relative de-escalation in recent weeks. The U.S. armed forces have not launched any strikes against Iran since September 1, although ships are frequently targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.
Guterres Expresses Concern Over Yemen
On the Yemen front, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said today that he is “deeply concerned” about the “sharp escalation of fighting,” which have intensified in recent days in the country, according to his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
He also “condemned” “the continuation of Houthi cross-border attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” and “urges all sides to exercise the utmost restraint,” the spokesperson added.
SEE ALSO: Middle East: Houthis Strike Airport in Riyadh; Turkey and Pakistan Send Troops to Saudi Arabia | AlphaNews
Source: CNA
