Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama says new U.S. sanctions on Iran toughest ever
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Obama says new U.S. sanctions on Iran toughest ever
Reuters - Friday, July 2
Send
IM Story
Print
By Ross Colvin
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law on Thursday far-reaching new sanctions on Iran that aim to squeeze the Islamic Republic's fuel imports and deepen its international isolation.
Obama said the new sanctions were the toughest ever passed by the U.S. Congress and would make it harder for Iran to buy refined petroleum as well as goods and services to modernize its oil and natural gas sector, the mainstay of its economy.
While the door to diplomacy remained open, he said, Iran would come under even greater international pressure if it continued to defy international calls to halt its uranium enrichment program.
The United States and its European allies suspect Iran is trying to build an atomic bomb, despite Tehran's insistence that its nuclear program is for the peaceful generation of electricity.
"There should be no doubt -- the United States and the international community are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," Obama said at the signing of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act at the White House.
European Union leaders agreed last month to tighten U.N. sanctions on Iran with additional measures targeting Iran's financial, banking, insurance, transportation and energy sectors.
The new U.S. sanctions go much further than the measures agreed to by the U.N. Security Council in June and are aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Iran to persuade it to return to international talks on its disputed nuclear program.
The U.S. sanctions penalize companies supplying Iran with gasoline and international banking institutions involved with Iran's increasingly powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or its nuclear program.
Foreign banks that do business with key Iranian banks or the Revolutionary Guards will not be allowed access to the U.S. financial system. Global suppliers of gasoline to Iran could also face bans on access to the U.S. banking system, property transactions and foreign exchange in the United States.
NO SILVER BULLET
"With these sanctions -- along with others -- we are striking at the heart of the Iranian government's ability to fund and develop its nuclear programs," Obama said. "We are showing the Iranian government that its actions have consequences."
Democratic congressman Howard Berman, one of the architects of the new U.S. sanctions package, said he hoped it would provide Obama "with the tools he needs to persuade Tehran to permanently abandon its nuclear weapons program."
The new sanctions are designed to hurt Iran where it is most vulnerable -- it's energy sector. The world's fifth-largest oil producer lacks sufficient refining capacity and imports up to 40 percent of its gasoline needs.
Recognizing its vulnerability, Iran has drawn up plans to become self-sufficient in gasoline output within two years while reducing domestic demand, partly through phasing out government subsidies.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed the threat of sanctions, saying Iran could be self-sufficient in gasoline "within one week" if necessary.
Obama came into office in January 2009 promising a new beginning of diplomatic engagement with Iran if it "unclenched its fist." But after Iran's leaders rebuffed the offer and continued enriching uranium he mobilized international support for a fourth round of U.N sanctions.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs acknowledged on Thursday that the new measures offered no "silver bullet", echoing earlier comments by Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta, who said targeted economic sanctions would probably not deter Iran from seeking a nuclear capability.
The sanctions have already started to bite. France's Total this week joined an expanding list of companies that have stopped gasoline sales to Iran, and Spain's Repsol said it had pulled out of a contract to develop part of the country's huge South Pars gas field in the Gulf.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Russia spy suspect confessed: US prosecutor AFP - 29 minutes ago
3 dead as Taliban attack US aid group in Afghanistan AFP - 37 minutes ago
Iran frees Nobel winner Ebadi's aide: website AFP - 47 minutes ago
Voters back Kyrgyz constitution: official results AFP - 51 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
US recovery faces litmus test
From boy to man: Cuba's Elian gives thanks 10 years later
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
ECB auctions soothe bank fears ahead of key stress tests
Iran tells UN it is 'more determined' on nuclear drive
More Top Stories »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
Naomi Campbell to testify at war crimes court
Liverpool appoint Hodgson as manager
Lady Gaga leads race to get 10 million on Facebook
From boy to man: Cuba's Elian gives thanks 10 years later
More Most Viewed »
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Disgraced millionaire lobbyist takes pizza job
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 2 July 2010 Netanyahu says Israel ready to deal for Shalit release
Who's right
Iran tells UN it is 'more determined' on nuclear drive
US-TECH Summary
Russia spy scandal '11th man' vanishes in Cyprus
India's Reliance Communications to acquire Digicable
Secret tapes scandal halts L'Oreal fraud trial
At least 35 dead in suicide bombings in Pakistan
|
Amazon again cuts Kindle price as iPad raises heat
ECB auctions soothe bank fears ahead of key stress tests
NATO says district Afghan Taliban chief arrested
As world first, Finland makes broadband service basic right
Greek unions set anti-austerity strike for July 8
|
Amazon cuts price of large-screen Kindle
Woman Dies After Portable Toilet Crashes Through Car Windshield
Serena sees off challenge to reach Wimbledon final
iPhone 4 Antenna Complaints Lead To Lawsuit For Apple
Microsoft killing its 'Kin' social network phone
Adam Brody, Marley Shelton Added To "Scream 4" Cast
Lady Gaga leads race to get 10 million on Facebook
Sex.com domain name on sale
Ford, GM Sales Come In Shy Of Estimates
Toyota warns of engine defect in 270,000 cars
Katy Perry Beats Out Eminem, Rihanna For Fourth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100
Drug hitmen kill Mexican official ahead of vote
|
U.S. Pending Homes Sales Tumble In May
U.N. starts distributing flotilla aid in Gaza Strip
|
Gunmen kill senior Yemen intelligence officer
|
Venezuela fights illegal gold camps deep in jungle
|
Cyprus issues warrant for Russian spy suspect
Japanese footballers return home
SKorea president discusses economic, trade ties in Mexico
Appeal against Taiwan ex-president's sentence reduction
Uighur leader appeals to world year after unrest
Consumers sue Apple over iPhone antenna problems
|
China says it welcomes visit by US defence secretary
Meryl Streep eyeing Margaret Thatcher biopic: report
Tens of thousands march for democracy in Hong Kong
India central bank warns on global double-dip recession
U.S. government slowly adopting Web-based computing
|
Myanmar democracy activists row over hat symbol
Taiwan president says China has political aims with pact
Strike shuts down Japanese electronics factory in China
China's Xinhua launches English news channel
India's exports surge 35% in May
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Etisalat seeks PakTel deal discount
Meryl Streep in talks to play Margaret Thatcher
Google strengthens benefits for gay or lesbian workers
Meryl Streep eyeing Margaret Thatcher biopic: report
"Eclipse" enjoys record Wednesday at box offices
Denmark music festival commemorates fatal crush
Orange fever grips Netherlands prior to Brazil clash
Catalonian parliament rejects burqa ban
Saatchi gives modern art collection to Britain
Brain freezer in Russia claims secret of eternal life
Eclipse enjoys record Wednesday at box offices
|
A Minute With: Dev Patel from Slumdog to Airbender
|
Rapper Drake postpones European leg of tour
|
3 dead as Taliban attack US aid group in Afghanistan
Russia spy suspect confessed: US prosecutor
US aid office under attack in Afghanistan
S.Korean jailed for killing mother over gaming addiction
Obama signs toughest-ever US sanctions on Iran
US videogame sales slip in May: NPD
Obama says new U.S. sanctions on Iran toughest ever
USAID compound attacked in Afghanistan; 4 killed
U.S. video game sales down 5 percent in May
New Mel Gibson Recording Reveals Racist, Misogynistic Comments
USAID compound attacked in Afghanistan; 2 killed
Katy Perry Beats Out Eminem, Rihanna For Fourth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100
US recovery faces litmus test
Afghan governor: Suicide attackers strike Kunduz
Eminem Debuts At #1 With "Recovery" On Billboard Albums Chart
Newsmax out of Newsweek bidding, deadline for bids expires
Drug hitmen kill Mexican official ahead of vote
|
Turkey and Israel hold talks on mending fences
Turkey and Israel hold talks on mending fences
|
From boy to man: Cuba's Elian gives thanks 10 years later
Abbas voices frustration over Israel peace talks
Disney buys iPhone game maker Tapulous
Afghan Hindus and Sikhs grapple with uncertain future
|
Google buying travel software firm for 700 million dollars
U.S. House approves money for Afghan surge
Hillary Clinton arrives in Ukraine
BP boss takes spill questions in open Internet event
U.S. House approves money for Afghan troop surge
Hillary Clinton's Ukraine trip to balance tilt to Moscow
One suspect released, 9 held in Russian spy case
IBM endorses Firefox as in-house Web browser
Microsoft banishes battery bungling
Source: Chelsea Clinton to marry in upstate NY
Disney buys iPhone game maker Tapulous
|
Australia backs down in tax row with miners
Dell agrees to buy software company Scalent
|
Jennifer Lopez To Join Taio Cruz For Remix, Music Video
Australian priest jailed for 'sadistic' child abuse
Suicide bombers kill 42 in Pakistan shrine attack
Casket Of First Michigan Governor Lost And Found
Widespread Support For Immigration Reform Initiative Of President Obama
Obama Readies For Immigration Reform, Calls For Bipartisan Support
U.S. video game sales down 5 percent in May
Hit Malaysian TV talent show stars Muslim scholars
Police explain reasons for reopening Gore case
California Assembly Approves $20 Million Settlement For Kidnap Victim And Daughters
Miami Authorities Make Arrests In Hotel Shooting of Russian Tourist
Prosecutors: US network ready to aid spy ring
Philippines leader sets example, gets stuck in traffic
Mortgage Rates Fall To New Record Low
Russian Spy Ring Appears in Court as Evidence Mounts Against Them
40,000 cameras keep watch on China's Urumqi
South Korean coach quits over cyber attacks
Global Weather-Celsius
Bollywood's Aamir Khan bites back with satire
Tibetans adapted to altitude in under 3,000 years: study
'Private armies' hold Philippine politics at gunpoint
Art show examines India's World Cup absence
Reading sessions help Haiti children through quake trauma
Ecstasy a growing rave in Lebanon drug market
Toshiba to make batteries for electric vehicles
Women's Lilith tour drops 10 dates amid poor sales
Seoul shares dip on econ worries, foreign selling
Andrew Garfield is new 'Spider-Man': studio
UK-raised theater actor nabs "Spider-Man" role
S.Korea econ planners revive early rate rise view
Macau gaming revenue down due to World Cup
Rail route to Peru's Machu Picchu reopens
Bank of China to issue 60 billion yuan in new shares
Katy Perry and Eminem lead U.S. singles chart
PAKISTAN
JAL asks creditors for further debt waiver
PREVIEW-Taiwan June CPI seen up 0.89 pct y/y
Toyota to recall 270,000 cars over engine fault
Eclipse enjoys record Wednesday at box offices
|
Mourners bid farewell to popular SKorean actor
Samsung Heavy wins $1.7 billion shipbuilding deals
Mel Gibson uses racial slur: report
|
UK-raised theater actor nabs Spider-Man role
|
Women's Lilith tour drops 10 dates amid poor sales
|
Katy Perry and Eminem lead U.S. singles chart
|
Kelsey Grammer and third wife divorcing
|
Book about North Korean wins UK non-fiction award
|
Jordan nuclear deal held up by U.S. curbs
Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again
Undersea cable set to boost West Africa broadband
Gaza gets chocolate but no cement as embargo eases
New U.S. commander pushes faltering Afghan war effort
|
Google to buy travel software co ITA for $700 million
German car sales plunge in June, exports climb
Turkish jets bomb Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq
Japanese not keen to go four-eyed for 3D TV: survey
Pakistan under pressure to act after Lahore violence
|
Fence-mending on agenda for Obama-Netanyahu talks
Hawaii's Landmark Shark Fin Ban Takes Effect
Turk airstrike hits Kurd rebel targets in Iraq
France to look at possible U.S. sub link to sinking
|
Iran frees Nobel winner Ebadi's aide: website
Trent Reznor To Score Facebook Movie
Bill To Tighten Cruise Ship Security Awaits Obama
USAID compound attacked in Afghanistan; 4 killed
Fence-mending on agenda for Obama-Netanyahu talks
|
Budget-less, Schwarzenegger Orders Minimum Wage For State Workers
Chelsea Clinton To Wed In New York This Month
Kurd conflict comes back to haunt Turkey before polls
|
Sony Names Andrew Garfield As The Next "Spider-Man"
California Assembly Passes BPA Ban In Baby Bottles
Wildfires Force Nevada Residents From Homes
Consumption Of Added Sugar Could Lead To High Blood Pressure
Testosterone Levels May Be Linked To Heart Attack Risk
NATO's door still open for Ukraine: Clinton
Australia strikes compromise tax deal with miners
|
Israel settlers pressure PM on construction halt
Blast kills one, hurts 10 in flashpoint Kosovo town
|
Taliban attack U.S. aid company, five killed
|
Group to show car that can be driven by the blind
Surveys predict close presidential run-off in Poland
|
Fear lingers in Tibet two years after riots
|
Pakistan under pressure to act after Lahore violence
Alleged war criminal wins Australia extradition fight
Malaysia exports jump 21.9 percent in May
Militants ambush Thai security forces in south
Bank of China to raise $8.9 bln in rights issue
Silk Road city razed to remake west in China's image
Pakistani stocks end lower in dull trade on new tax
Japan's hot dog champ hungry for July 4 victory
Apple says iPhones overstate signal strength
|
GM auto sales in China slow in June
At Sun Valley, brighter moods may not mean big deals
|
China revises 2009 growth up to 9.1%
Obama announces broadband grants to spur jobs
|
Nokia aims to be the best with Symbian, MeeGo-Vanjoki
|
Seoul shares dip on econ worries, foreign selling
Google to buy travel software co ITA for $700 million
|
Disney buys iPhone game maker Tapulous
|
Japanese not keen to go four-eyed for 3D TV: survey
|
Undersea cable set to boost West Africa broadband
|
Larry King's replacement should have attitude
Writer Beryl Bainbridge dies aged 75
Phil Collins brings Motown heatwave to Montreux
|
Writer Beryl Bainbridge dies aged 75
|
Larry King's replacement should have attitude
|
Iron Maiden explores Final Frontier on new album
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights