Six years after SWIFT cut ties with Iranian banks during the last round of Western sanctions on the Persian nation, on Thursday afternoon the U.S. took another step toward cutting Iran off from the global economy when the US Treasury announced it was levying sanctions on a financing network and accusing the country’s central bank of helping funnel U.S. dollars to the blacklisted elite military unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard known as the Quds Force, the WSJ reported.
Acting together with the United Arab Emirates, the US Treasury said that it had sanctioned six individuals and three "front companies engaged in a large-scale currency exchange network that has procured and transferred hundreds of millions" of dollars to Iran's elite military force; overnight Israel’s government blamed the the same Quds Force for rocket attacks from Syria Wednesday night, an action that triggered massive retaliatory strikes by Israel’s military against Iranian targets in Syria, escalating the risk of a wider regional war.
In Washington, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin accused "the Iranian regime and its Central Bank" of misusing banking access in the UAE to acquire US dollars to fund the IRGC-QF's "malign activities, and to arm its "regional proxy groups." The new sanctions also ban US individuals and entities from doing business with the currency network.
Mnuchin alleged that the sanctioned entities had concealed the acquisition of funds and transfers: "We are intent on cutting off IRGC revenue streams wherever their source and whatever their destination."
“Countries around the world must be vigilant against Iran’s efforts to exploit their financial institutions to exchange currency and fund nefarious actions of the IRGC-QF and the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Mnuchin also said.
Specifically, the Treasury accused an Iranian company, Jenah Aras Kish, of being a front for the Quds Force, and said the firm received oil revenues from Central Bank of Iran accounts and gave that money to couriers who exchanged it for millions of U.S. dollar notes in the U.A.E. through two Iranian firms, Khedmati & Co. and Rashed Exchange.
That cash was then taken back to the Quds Force and distributed to Iran’s regional proxies, the U.S. said. To hide the activities from U.A.E. authorities, the Treasury Department said the network used forged documents.
Washington has repeatedly accused the Iran Revolutionary Guard of backing terrorist groups and militias affiliated with Iran, including in Lebanon and Syria where missile warfare involving Israel and allegedly Al Quds unfolded on Thursday.
In February 2015, Reuters reported that at least $1 billion in cash had been smuggled into Iran despite US and other sanctions. In that case, the cash passed through money changers and front companies in Dubai, in the UAE, and Iraq. As we further reported in December 2015, the smuggling ring used gold as the key commodity used to bypass borders and monetary barriers, as well as middlemen in Turkey and the UAE where the chain of accountability led to the very top echelons of government in both nations.
The Treasury also accused Iran's central bank of being "complicit" in supplying the IRGC.
“The Central Bank of Iran is complicit with the Quds Force for use by its proxies—that should send a very powerful message,” Sigal Mandelker, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in an interview. “We’re going to use all of our authorities to disrupt these networks.”
Thursday's actions foreshadow the return of U.S. economic penalties as Washington reimposes sanctions that had been lifted as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran’s central bank wasn’t formally sanctioned in Thursday’s actions, but will be in the coming months, at which point the entire nations will once again be blacklisted by SWIFT, making USD-based international transactions impossible.
And while Thursday’s action targets only one network, it is a model of how the administration plans to implement a complete ban on dealings with the Central Bank of Iran and dollar transactions coming due in the months ahead.
Incidentally, this time around, SWIFT may not need to even get involved. “There are secondary sanctions consequences for doing business with these entities,” said the Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Sigal Mandelker, referring to the currency-exchange network. Secondary sanctions are actions against companies that interact with blacklisted entities.
Because of Trump’s decision to reimpose broad U.S. sanctions, the use of U.S. dollar banknotes by Iran is banned after August, “and you can expect that we’re going to take that authority very seriously,” she said. “Foreign financial institutions, governments all over the world need to be on high alert to make sure that they understand the pattern and practice that these networks use to try to gain access to the USD.”
* * *
Meanwhile, western governments and companies - many of whom disagreed with Trump's withdrawing from the nuclear deal, have been trying to figure out how aggressively Washington plans to enforce its new sanctions regime against Iran, "wary of Treasury sanctioning European bank and firms, for example, if they continue to do business with Iran beyond deadlines for compliance approaching over the next six months."
For now, European officials have said they plan to stay in the nuclear deal with Iran, which may not only give license to their companies to maintain ties to Iran, but also may be setting up a diplomatic rift between the U.S. and its closest allies.
However, if and when the US imposes a few multi-billion fines on European banks, any willingness the EU has to bypass Trump's sanctions will promptly evaporate. Furthermore, Europe "doesn’t have the power to take important decisions," said Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian parliament’s nation security and foreign policy committee. The "Europeans, by sanctioning Iran, seek to dance in front of the Americans."
As a result, it's only a matter of time before Iran finds itself locked out financially from the world.
Or rather the Western world, because as the US and Europe fade away as key partners for Iran, China is about to step in again.
As Bloomberg reported today, "to develop its $430 billion economy, Iran is being forced to rely on political allies in the east. Trade with China has more than doubled since 2006, to $28 billion. The biggest chunk of Iran’s oil exports go to China, about $11 billion a year at current prices."
China is “already the winner,’’ Dina Esfandiary, a fellow at the Centre for Science and Security Studies at King’s College in London, told Bloomberg. "Iran has slowly abandoned the idea of being open to the West. The Chinese have been in Iran for the past 30 years. They have the contacts, the guys on the ground, the links to the local banks.’"
And they’re more willing to defy U.S. pressure as Trump slaps sanctions back on.
In short, the more Trump pushes Iran - and the broader middle-eastern region - to comply with the will of Israel and Saudi Arabia, the closer Iran will get with China whose influence in the middle-east, where it is ideologically aligned with Russia, will only grow...
Comments
USA & Israel = Rogue states
USA & Zionist Entity = Synagogue of Satan...
fixed it 4 ya...
In reply to USA & Israel = Rogue states by TeaClipper
Should have been in place for decades . IRGC are Islamic Nazi scum.
In reply to USA & Zionist Entity =… by Kaiser Sousa
The Mark of the Beast= US Dollar- so that no one might buy or sell (oil) unless they have that mark
In reply to Should have been in place… by TBT or not TBT
I'm tired of all this MIGA winning
In reply to The Mark of the Beast= US… by Juggernaut x2
Propaganda article. The Iranian central bank is too independent from the banksters. Cutting them out of SWIFT and the dollar will force them to use gold as money.
In reply to I'm tired of all this MIGA… by DingleBarryObummer
Not watching the CIPS news this week I see.
In other news China Japan and both Korea's are setting up a free trade zone.
Petroyuan daily contracts are doubling every month as are yuan bonds owned by foreigners .
BRI trade now exceeds $1.4 trn pa.projected to double every year for the next three years and the infrastructure
isn't even built yet.
If you still think a trade war worries the Chinese you aren't paying attention.They were planning on it.
In reply to P by Pearson365
Winston Churchill - you make a fantastic comment. The threat to the petrodollar regime is what all this is about. The U.S. should join in China's BRI and engage in productive economic activity that will make all prosper. Instead, we play defense, as England did going into WW1.
What fools we are. BRI is China's version of the Marshall Plan. Who wouldn't want to be a part of something grand like that? The swamp thickens.
In reply to Not watching the CIPS news… by Winston Churchill
And what is Iran's CRIME?
Just being in Israhell's crosshairs.
Artist's IMPRESSION of Satanyahoo RIDING Trump
In reply to Winston Churchill - you make… by SeaMonkeys
Not having a BIS controlled central bank
In reply to And what is Iran's CRIME?… by revolla
If the US and Israel cease to stir up conflict with regime-change ops, wars and threats of wars, both oil plundering will cease and the military industrial complex will come to an end.
In reply to Not having a BIS controlled… by 44magnum
Key to this article was completely overlooked.
Sigal Mandelker
This is the kind of "tribe" member that does the greatest damage and has the most influence. The ones that operate just below the media presence.
A former Israeli now in a key policy, financial position to make decisions and influence decisions that directly affect Israel at the expense of the people of the US.
Appointed by, guess who? The same guy that appointed her Jewish boss to be the Treasury Secretary.
Yet you could never convince people there is a "problem" here.
Check out this Kool-aid pushing bitch. Notice the very last line.....after all the Holocaust pandering at the beginning.
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0181.aspx
In reply to If the US and Israel cease… by FBaggins
helpful that China promises gold on demand for their yuan. US "wanna buy our debt?" not so much
In reply to Not watching the CIPS news… by Winston Churchill
... “ ... Only 4 Countries Left Without a ROTHSCHILD Central Bank ... “ ... >>>
http://humansarefree.com/2016/11/only-3-countries-left-without.html ...
... guess which ones ...
... “... In the year of 2000 there were eight countries without a Rothschild owned or controlled Central Bank:
It is not a coincidence that these countries which are listed above were and are still being under attack by the western media, [edit: and the Western MIC], since one of the main reasons these countries have been under attack in the first place is because they do not have a Rothschild owned Central Bank yet. .. “ ...
In reply to P by Pearson365
Excellent comment, Praying Mantis!
In reply to ... “ ... Only 4 Countries… by PrayingMantis
This really ought to answer any remaining doubts in anyone's head:
"Do Central Bankers drive (foreign) policy?"
Find the stockholders in BIS and post their details on ZH.
We want their home addresses.
In reply to ... “ ... Only 4 Countries… by PrayingMantis
/me bows
In reply to This really ought to answer… by No1uNo
Funny how chosenites never see their own "malign activities" that are far, far worse than Iran's.
Oops, gotta keep drinking that koolaid.
In reply to /me bows by Kartolas
The Persians have been foretold to rise a fourth and final time.
In reply to P by Pearson365
>> will force them to use gold as money.
They will use the Reminbi.
In reply to P by Pearson365
Or, more likely, they will join ROSSWIFT.
In reply to P by Pearson365
The U.S. did the same thing to Japan in the 1930s. They embargoed their oil and other raw materials thus goading them into war. They had no choice but to lash out or else watch their economy and population starve. Now they're trying the same dishonorable technique against all of the nations who refuse to allow Rothschild central banks to insidiously rule them. Iran is next on their list. Hopefully, the Persians will be impervious to this and rely on Russia and China for trade to thwart the evil plans of the usurers.
In reply to I'm tired of all this MIGA… by DingleBarryObummer
How U.S. Economic Warfare Provoked Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor | Mises Institute
In reply to The U.S. did the same thing… by J S Bach
The other choice Japan had was to stop invading their way across Asia. They made their pick and laid their bets.
In reply to The U.S. did the same thing… by J S Bach
Yes, they were aggressive and invaded weaker countries. Indeed, they made their pick and laid their bets.
Would you make the same statement about the imperious United States of Israel? We have invaded more countries and overthrown more governments than I can count. But, we're the good guys, right? So, it's okay.
In reply to The other choice Japan had… by hoos bin pharteen
JSB, I've had people retort to similar statements as yours by saying 'well, someone is going to be the bully in the might makes right game, and it's better that it's us than them'. It's nihilistic, understood, but how does one reply to that statement when there is truth to it as long as the world is led by psychopaths that always lust for more power?
In reply to Yes, they were aggressive… by J S Bach
People say this might be the test of the new petro yuan.
Got gold?
In reply to JSB, I've had people retort… by holdbuysell
" 'well, someone is going to be the bully in the might makes right game, and it's better that it's us than them'"
The way you respond is: this is a loaded sentence. It is not a military "might makes right" game. China and Russia are not using military might, they are using diplomacy and cooperation. Our error is thinking that might makes right, it doesnt; it only reminds one that if you live by the sword, you die by it. It appears we are going to die by it.
We could cut 3/4 of our MIC budget and use the funds to build infrastructure to start making things again, but we wont because there is more profit in the woar off of our taxes and future of our children
Might makes right is not a truth, it is an attitude.
In reply to JSB, I've had people retort… by holdbuysell
"Hopefully, the Persians will be impervious to this and rely on Russia and China for trade to thwart the evil plans of the usurers."
The problem Iran has with this is Trump is already putting the screws to China on Trade and he is going to make them decide which is a more valuable trading partner - US or Iran.
I've been saying all along he is not going to invade Iran. He doesn't need to. He is going to shut down their exports and cut off their access to financial system and make sure no one comes to bail them out.
The good news is all he wants from them is a new de-nuke agreement on his terms. He is not trying to do a regime change or force a Rothschild central bank on them. Actually it's almost the opposite. Iran can stop the pain very quickly once they decide to cut ties the Rothschild and Soros puppets who are pressuring them to stay in the JCPOA.
In reply to The U.S. did the same thing… by J S Bach
You're right he's going to invade.
Supposedly 180 days. Now it's donkey kong is on. The USA and Israel are desperate to ratchet it up. So is SA and their drying wells
In reply to The problem Iran has with… by bowie28
huh? I said he is NOT going to invade.
In reply to You're right he's going to… by peopledontwanttruth
Trump will not "put the screws to China" in any trade war. He will just shoot himself in the foot. It has already started. A lot of American farmers have been hurt by the program and have changed their opinion about Trump. By the time he finishes, all the US car manufacturers will have lost billions because of the MAGA bullshit and laid off a lot of American workers. All these people he is hurting are his voter base.
In reply to The problem Iran has with… by bowie28
Agree to disagree about whether he is going to play hardball with China and others.
The economic trends and trade deficits previous trade policies created are not sustainable.
There is going to be some pain like in any other transition but it needs to be changed so we can hope to have a viable economy to rebuild with after the current mega bubble bursts and everyone loses 60% of their 401k again.
I have a feeling there will also be a lot of former federal employees joining the private sector in the next few years.
In reply to Trump will not "put the… by roddy6667
I think that the idea of a "viable economy" in America is wishful thinking. America has peaked. The Empire is fading. It's all downhill for a long time now.
In reply to Agree to disagree about… by bowie28
"The good news is all he wants from them is a new de-nuke agreement on his terms. He is not trying to do a regime change or force a Rothschild central bank on them."
Wrong, Bolton and Guiliani have said as much. Some of us ar paying attention. Who do you work for?
In reply to The problem Iran has with… by bowie28
My take is Bolton and Giuliani regime change talk is disinfo. Trump wants the Iranians to think he may launch a full scale invasion at any moment.
Remember what he said about being unpredictable? This is a head fake.
Guiliani is not stupid. He says things because its part of the plan. He "slipped" on mentioning the Cohen payment because they knew it would come out and was better to get it over with on their timing rather than MSM spring it on them at the wrong time.
Do you really think he mistakenly mentioned regime change and then a memo on regime change leaked on the same day and it wasnt planned that way?
Trump wants a new nuke deal, not another pointless war.
In reply to "The good news is all he… by Mustafa Kemal
I think Hillary is in New Zealand (with the Skripols) and we'll see whatever lauchpad she and other Dems are going to try to get (any) traction soon enough. Trumps problem is the midterms, the number of Rep. standing down is quite surprising - they know a bitch fight is coming and much of the old guard doesn't have the stomach for it. The israeli FF is already coming out - much faster than the UK screw up. Holding the narrative together is going to be tough for msm. If the narrative goes off message (like Germany questioning UK) - then mid terms are going to be a killer.
In reply to The problem Iran has with… by bowie28
Could it be the large number of Sens and Reps not running, some of them were talked to and advised they may be facing criminal indictments in the near future so its time to step aside and let the party get another candidate ready?
I wonder if they have been sitting on some sealed indictments that will drop real close to the midterms, like with not enough time for the Dems to get a viable replacement candidate? Oh that would sure be a dirty trick... :)
In reply to I think Hillary is in New… by No1uNo
I think Hillary is in New Zealand
somebody quick, email kimdotcom and tell him to be careful.
In reply to I think Hillary is in New… by No1uNo
666, the man's number. The amount of Gold that Solomon after his apostasy collected in talents of gold per year when he went "I can't get enough money" attitude.
Bingo it's a number about money the Zionist apostates have used the American system to tow the line or else.
In reply to The Mark of the Beast= US… by Juggernaut x2
This is quite possible.
In reply to The Mark of the Beast= US… by Juggernaut x2
Not USA / Israel. They are puppets.
This is City of London private central bankers.
Same effect though.
In reply to Should have been in place… by TBT or not TBT
China = Winning.
In reply to Not USA / Israel. They are… by DownWithYogaPants
... this is one of the many reasons China is winning ...
“ ... China is making Iran a hub in its global infrastructure project ... “ ...
... One Belt, One Road ... here’s the map ... >>> https://www.axios.com/china-is-making-iran-a-hub-in-its-global-infrastructure-project-1513304440-be42e1cc-9090-460d-8568-0983139f1f57.html
...
In reply to China = Winning. by espirit
Anglozionazi filth are going down the crud caked bowl of their evil history just like the shit smeared IOU petroscrip Saudi Mercan toilet paper dollah. It can't be stopped no matter how many more wars the beast of zion causes and Pentacon Snaggle-toothed demon$ lose.
It's over.
In reply to Should have been in place… by TBT or not TBT
You filthy kikes will never stop, will you? Go to steal something instead of writing jooshit.
In reply to Should have been in place… by TBT or not TBT
.
In reply to USA & Zionist Entity =… by Kaiser Sousa
Their Fiat being a Satanic / Lucerferian System of Debt, Bondage, Enslavement & Control.
A Satanic System of Control over all Mankind which they intend to implement from their Lucerferian Hq in ZioNeoConFascist Isreal via The Yinon Plan & Operation Talpiot from their NWO Temple Mount.
And, the Zionist Globalist want to wage this Depopulation WWIII from their NWO Lucerferian Temple Mount Hq.
Zionost Kabala Babylonian “Fake Jews” who manipulate through Lucerferian / Santanic Deception Gas Lit into your Psyche.
In other words, the real “Anti-Semites.
The Lucerferian / Santic Hq.’s is Isreal.
However, Satan does set up shop in the US through his Duel Israeli minions.
Remember Five points:
1. Isreal will fight to the very last American Soldiers Death.
2. The Zionist screams in Pain as he Stikes you.
3.The Yinon Plan.
4.Operation TALPIOT.
5. Qatari Pipeline Petro Dollar Vs. Russia / China Petro Yaun.
In reply to USA & Zionist Entity =… by Kaiser Sousa
It's Ironic how UBL's crew were calling USA "The Great Satan" back in the day....yet here we are acting like demons to the little guy, wherever he exists.
In reply to USA & Zionist Entity =… by Kaiser Sousa
Wonder how many non Mudslimes sand-N-word posters still on Z H ?
N.B: I don't like kikes either but I will never side with head choppers.
I only have one head.
Wake the fuck up Whiteys !
In reply to USA & Israel = Rogue states by TeaClipper
Pagination