Joe Biden Sets Up Sanctions in Ramped-up Effort on US Hostages, Wrongful Detainees
2 years, 8 months ago

Joe Biden Sets Up Sanctions in Ramped-up Effort on US Hostages, Wrongful Detainees

News 18  

President Joe Biden on Tuesday opened the way for sanctions against governments that unjustly imprison Americans and ordered more detailed travel warnings after a series of high-profile detentions. Biden signed an executive order billed as expanding the set of tools for the US government in what Secretary of State Antony Blinken said was a “relentless” effort to free citizens overseas. The move comes after wide media coverage of the detention in Russia on drug charges of basketball star Brittney Griner, whose wife initially said Biden was not doing enough. “Using sanctions may not always help secure someone’s release, so we will therefore be judicious and strategic in our use of this authority,” a US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

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History of this topic

US imposes sanctions on network that helps ship Iranian oil to China
1 month, 3 weeks ago

US imposes sanctions on network that helps ship Iranian oil to China

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on a network of more than a dozen people and firms that are accused of facilitating the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China. “The Iranian regime remains focused on leveraging its oil revenues to fund the development of its nuclear program, to produce its deadly …

Joe Biden's latest actions may leave 'unwelcome surprise' for Trump team: report
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Joe Biden's latest actions may leave 'unwelcome surprise' for Trump team: report

Raw Story  

Donald Trump's incoming administration may be in for some surprises next week when they take over from president Joe Biden, who issued a series of executive actions that could be hard to undo. The outgoing president's actions have touched on nearly all areas of government and will likely continue up until his final hours in office, according to administration sources, …

US offered to swap Guantanamo prisoner to free detained Americans in Afghanistan
2 months, 3 weeks ago

US offered to swap Guantanamo prisoner to free detained Americans in Afghanistan

CNN  

CNN — The US offered to trade a Guantanamo Bay prisoner in exchange for the release of three Americans held in Afghanistan, a source familiar told CNN. However, they said the administration is “working around the clock to ensure George, Ryan, and Mahmood’s safe return.” They also touted the successes by the Biden administration in securing the release of Americans …

How the Biden administration botched America’s sanctions against Iran
3 months, 1 week ago

How the Biden administration botched America’s sanctions against Iran

Live Mint  

A fortnight ago Iran aimed more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. In 2018, under Donald Trump, America unwisely withdrew from an agreement to stall Iran’s nuclear programme and then imposed its harshest sanctions ever, in an attempt to punish the regime and stop it funding proxies and terrorists abroad. America banned its citizens from trading with Iran or handling …

US secures release of 3 Americans in prisoner swap with China
4 months ago

US secures release of 3 Americans in prisoner swap with China

CNN  

CNN — Three Americans who had been detained in China for years have been released in a prisoner swap between Washington and Beijing. “We are pleased to announce the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung from detention in the People’s Republic of China,” a US National Security Council spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday. He thanked US Ambassador …

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out

Raw Story  

President Joe Biden finalized the deal to get Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan released from Russian captivity about an hour before he announced he was ending his re-election campaign. The eventual prisoner swap that saw Gershkovich and Whelan returned to the U.S. took place five months after the death of Russian opposition leader …

US government’s top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries
9 months, 2 weeks ago

US government’s top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government’s top hostage negotiator defended prisoner swaps that free Americans wrongfully detained by foreign countries in exchange for the release of convicted criminals, denying on Thursday that such deals incentivize additional arrests of U.S. citizens. “The math just is not adding up — it’s actually going down, it’s going in the other direction,” Roger Carstens, the …

US government's top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries
9 months, 2 weeks ago

US government's top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.S. government's top hostage …

Biden admin pauses shipment of thousands of bombs to Israel amid assault on Rafah: report
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Biden admin pauses shipment of thousands of bombs to Israel amid assault on Rafah: report

Salon  

This article originally appeared at Common Dreams. Anti-war voices on Tuesday welcomed Politico's reporting that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is delaying "shipments of two types of Boeing-made precision bombs to send a political message to Israel," which on Monday launched a long-awaited invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Politico separately reported Tuesday that according to congressional sources, …

White House says US will impose new sanctions targeting Iran: ‘President Biden is coordinating with allies…’
11 months, 2 weeks ago

White House says US will impose new sanctions targeting Iran: ‘President Biden is coordinating with allies…’

Hindustan Times  

The White House has said that president Joe Biden is set to impose new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone programs after Tehran attacked Israel on April 13. White House says US will impose new sanctions targeting Iran What did the White House say? In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile …

The US has released an ally of Venezuela's president in a swap for jailed Americans, the AP learns
1 year, 3 months ago

The US has released an ally of Venezuela's president in a swap for jailed Americans, the AP learns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Biden administration has released …

Trump slams Biden over US-Iran prisoner deal
1 year, 6 months ago

Trump slams Biden over US-Iran prisoner deal

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five …

5 Americans freed in controversial Iran prisoner swap are back on U.S. soil
1 year, 6 months ago

5 Americans freed in controversial Iran prisoner swap are back on U.S. soil

LA Times  

From left, in blazers, Emad Sharghi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi, former prisoners in Iran, disembark a plane that brought them out of Tehran and to Doha, Qatar, on Monday. “Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” Biden said in a statement Monday. Namazi’s father, Baquer, was also arrested by Iran in 2016 when …

US-Iran prisoner swap ‘important first step’ but tensions remain: Analysts
1 year, 6 months ago

US-Iran prisoner swap ‘important first step’ but tensions remain: Analysts

Al Jazeera  

A major diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington remains unlikely before 2024 US election, experts say. Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington, DC, called the prisoner exchange a “transactional deal”. Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy think tank in Washington, DC, said while it remains …

Iran-US prisoner swap: How Democrats and Republicans reacted to the deal
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran-US prisoner swap: How Democrats and Republicans reacted to the deal

Al Jazeera  

Republicans decry the exchange as US officials hail the release of detainees and warn Americans against travel to Iran. Donald Trump slams prisoner swap Former US President Donald Trump slammed the prisoner swap on Monday, calling Biden “dumb” for agreeing to unfreeze the Iranian funds. US ‘confident’ funds will be used for humanitarian purposes: Blinken Secretary of State Antony Blinken …

A new Iran deal shows the Biden administration is willing to pay a big price to free Americans
1 year, 6 months ago

A new Iran deal shows the Biden administration is willing to pay a big price to free Americans

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — As the Biden administration heralds the forthcoming release of five U.S. citizens detained by Iran, President Joe Biden is also confronting questions about the price being paid to bring them — and other detainees — home. We have to make tough choices and engage in tough negotiations to bring these American citizens home.” Nonetheless, Republicans are accusing the …

US announces new Iran sanctions as prisoner swap looms
1 year, 6 months ago

US announces new Iran sanctions as prisoner swap looms

Al Jazeera  

Washington targets Iranian officials and state-linked media outlets on first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. “As we approach one year since Mahsa Amini’s tragic and senseless death in the custody of Iran’s so-called ‘Morality Police,’ we recall that the movement of men and women across Iran … was met with horrific violence,” US Treasury official Brian Nelson said in a …

Trump accuses Biden of taking ‘kickback’ in $6bn Iran deal
1 year, 6 months ago

Trump accuses Biden of taking ‘kickback’ in $6bn Iran deal

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We likewise got back 5 people BUT, we also gave them 6 BILLION DOLLARS!” …

US defends prisoner swap deal with Iran against Republican attacks
1 year, 6 months ago

US defends prisoner swap deal with Iran against Republican attacks

Al Jazeera  

Washington stresses that funds set to be unblocked to secure the release of detained Americans are Tehran’s own. Washington, DC – United States President Joe Biden’s administration has defended a looming prisoner swap deal with Iran against growing criticism from Republican legislators who say it will bolster the Iranian government. US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday …

Biden administration clears path to transfer $6bn in Iranian assets
1 year, 6 months ago

Biden administration clears path to transfer $6bn in Iranian assets

Al Jazeera  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued the sanction waivers last week as part of an ongoing prisoner transfer deal. The administration of United States President Joe Biden has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6bn in frozen Iranian money from South Korea …

The US moves to advance a prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen funds
1 year, 6 months ago

The US moves to advance a prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said “it’s …

U.S. moves to advance prisoner swap and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds
1 year, 6 months ago

U.S. moves to advance prisoner swap and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds

LA Times  

The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. The transfer of the $6 billion was the critical element in the prisoner release deal, which saw …

The World Is Contemplating a Second Trump Administration
1 year, 7 months ago

The World Is Contemplating a Second Trump Administration

Live Mint  

The U.S. presidential election is more than a year away, but allies and adversaries around the world have already begun to contemplate—and even plan for—the return of Donald Trump to the White House. “There’s a strong possibility Trump might be re-elected,” said Benjamin Haddad, a French lawmaker from President Emmanuel Macron’s party. Macron was blindsided when a German-led coalition announced …

US-Iran prisoner swap deal is ‘on track’, says White House official
1 year, 7 months ago

US-Iran prisoner swap deal is ‘on track’, says White House official

Al Jazeera  

Agreement is ‘proceeding’ but there is no exact timetable for swap, says US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said that a prisoner swap deal between the United States and Iran is “on track”, less than two weeks after Tehran moved five detained US citizens to house arrest. But we believe that that …

US sanctions Russia, Iran entities for detaining Americans
1 year, 11 months ago

US sanctions Russia, Iran entities for detaining Americans

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday sanctioned Russia’s Federal Security Service and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organization, accusing them of wrongfully detaining Americans. A U.S. Treasury news release stated that Iranian authorities frequently hold and interrogate detainees in Evin Prison in Tehran and have a “direct role in the repression of protests and arrest of dissidents, including …

US Targets Russian and Iranian Intelligence Groups with New Sanctions
1 year, 11 months ago

US Targets Russian and Iranian Intelligence Groups with New Sanctions

News 18  

The Biden administration on Thursday sanctioned Russia’s Federal Security Service and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organization for wrongfully detaining Americans. It’s the first rollout of new sanctions authorities established last year by President Joe Biden for use against those holding Americans unjustly captive. A U.S. Treasury news release stated that Iranian authorities frequently hold and interrogate detainees in …

US sanctions Russia, Iran entities for detaining Americans
1 year, 11 months ago

US sanctions Russia, Iran entities for detaining Americans

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Biden administration on Thursday …

Iran says 'everything ready' for prisoner swap, US denies
2 years ago

Iran says 'everything ready' for prisoner swap, US denies

Hindustan Times  

Iran and the United States have reached an agreement to exchange prisoners, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told state TV on Sunday, but Washington denied it as a "false" claim by Tehran. A White House official denied Amirabdollahian's statement about the prisoner swap with Washington, adding that the United States was committed to securing the release of Americans held in …

Imprisoned American in Iran calls on Biden to secure release
2 years ago

Imprisoned American in Iran calls on Biden to secure release

Al Jazeera  

Siamak Namazi urged US President Biden to secure his release and that of two other Americans. A United States citizen imprisoned by Iran on spying charges gave a rare interview from Tehran’s Evin prison, beseeching President Joe Biden to secure his release and that of two other US nationals. Namazi made a similar plea in a letter to Biden on …

US issues more Iran sanctions amid stalled diplomacy
2 years ago

US issues more Iran sanctions amid stalled diplomacy

Al Jazeera  

New measures target Iranian oil and petrochemical sales, as US says it is committed to reducing Iran’s energy exports. “The United States is committed to significantly reducing Iranian energy exports and will sanction those facilitating Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade,” the State Department said. “We will not hesitate to take action against those who try to circumvent our sanctions.” Iran …

With new sanctions, US vows to ‘severely restrict’ Iran oil sales
2 years, 6 months ago

With new sanctions, US vows to ‘severely restrict’ Iran oil sales

Al Jazeera  

The Biden administration explicitly links a fresh round of US sanctions to failure to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Washington, DC – The Biden administration has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, vowing to impose financial penalties on a “regular basis” in an effort to “severely restrict” Iranian oil and petrochemical exports. The administration of US President …

Biden administration imposes new sanctions on those involved in evading Iran sanctions
2 years, 6 months ago

Biden administration imposes new sanctions on those involved in evading Iran sanctions

CNN  

CNN — The Biden administration imposed sanctions Thursday on multiple entities involved in evading sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemicals, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement. The new sanctions come as efforts to restore the Iran nuclear deal have once again stalled, and as the United States remains “concerned about a wide range of Iranian policies, …

Wrongful detentions of Americans by foreign powers are fast rising, a new study says
2 years, 6 months ago

Wrongful detentions of Americans by foreign powers are fast rising, a new study says

NPR  

Wrongful detentions of Americans by foreign powers are fast rising, a new study says Enlarge this image toggle caption Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool photo/AFP via Getty Images Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool photo/AFP via Getty Images The number of Americans who are wrongfully held by state actors such as China, Iran and Russia has seen a dramatic increase compared to a decade ago, according to …

US relaxes internet sanctions on Iran in support of protesters
2 years, 6 months ago

US relaxes internet sanctions on Iran in support of protesters

Al Jazeera  

Washington, DC – The Biden administration has issued a license to relax sanctions on internet services in Iran, saying the move aims to “support the free flow of information” for Iranians amid widespread anti-government protests. “As courageous Iranians take to the streets to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, the United States is redoubling its support for the free flow …

Biden administration quietly steps up effort to close Guantanamo
2 years, 6 months ago

Biden administration quietly steps up effort to close Guantanamo

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON : The Biden administration is revamping its effort to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, for the first time appointing a senior diplomat to oversee detainee transfers and signaling it won’t interfere with plea negotiations that could resolve the long-stalled prosecution of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-defendants. Congress responded to the Obama administration’s effort to close …

Biden administration responds to Iran’s offer on nuke deal
2 years, 7 months ago

Biden administration responds to Iran’s offer on nuke deal

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday responded to Iran’s latest offer to resume its compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, but neither side is offering a definitive path to revive the agreement, which has been on life-support since former President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018. The latest EU proposal does not include Tehran’s demand that the U.S. …

Biden warns of sanctions for kidnapping Americans
2 years, 8 months ago

Biden warns of sanctions for kidnapping Americans

Daily Mail  

President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday will add a new desgnation to State Department warnings for China, Russia, Iran and other countries to warn of the risk of unlawful detention of Americans. It's part of a new executive order the president signed aimed at helping Americans detained abroad that will support the families of the detainees and impose costs on …

State Department will warn Americans of countries where they may be wrongfully detained
2 years, 8 months ago

State Department will warn Americans of countries where they may be wrongfully detained

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The State Department will add a risk indicator to its …

Biden order aims to punish captors of Americans held abroad
2 years, 8 months ago

Biden order aims to punish captors of Americans held abroad

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at increasing the flow of information to families of Americans detained abroad and at imposing sanctions on the criminals, terrorists or government officials who hold them captive. It is unclear if the new order will result in bringing home more Americans jailed in foreign countries, but senior Biden administration …

Biden signs executive order to stem wrongful detentions
2 years, 8 months ago

Biden signs executive order to stem wrongful detentions

Al Jazeera  

US president is facing growing pressure from families of citizens detained abroad to do more to secure their release. US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order that aims “to deter and disrupt hostage-taking and wrongful detentions” of Americans abroad, opening the way for sanctions and other deterrence measures to be imposed. The White House said on Tuesday that …

US imposes new Iran sanctions amid efforts to revive nuclear deal
2 years, 8 months ago

US imposes new Iran sanctions amid efforts to revive nuclear deal

Al Jazeera  

US measures targeting Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sales come ahead of Joe Biden’s visit to the region next week. The new measures, revealed on Wednesday, target “an international network of individuals and entities” that the Department of the Treasury said facilitated the sale of US-sanctioned Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products to East Asia. “While the United States is committed to …

Biden to announce new Russia sanctions while in Brussels
3 years ago

Biden to announce new Russia sanctions while in Brussels

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden plans to announce new sanctions against Russia on Thursday while in Brussels for meetings with NATO and European allies, according to a top national security aide. In Poland, Biden will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who has requested further U.S. aid and a stepped up military presence on NATO’s eastern flank as the war …

Biden to issue executive order after Russia recognizes independence of Ukraine's breakaway territories
3 years, 1 month ago

Biden to issue executive order after Russia recognizes independence of Ukraine's breakaway territories

China Daily  

US President Joe Biden. WASHINGTON - White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that US President Joe Biden will soon sign an executive order banning Americans from doing business in the two Ukrainian regions that Russia has recognized as independent states. "President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by US …

Biden imposes new Russia sanctions, decries ‘beginning invasion’
3 years, 1 month ago

Biden imposes new Russia sanctions, decries ‘beginning invasion’

Al Jazeera  

The US sanctions target Russia’s sovereign debt and two large Russian financial institutions as Ukraine tensions rise. US President Joe Biden has announced a new sanctions package against Russia, calling Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent the “beginning of a Russian invasion” of its neighbour. This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands …

Nuclear deal unlikely unless Iran releases US prisoners: Report
3 years, 2 months ago

Nuclear deal unlikely unless Iran releases US prisoners: Report

Al Jazeera  

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley tells the Reuters news agency agreement ‘hard to imagine’ while four ‘innocent Americans held hostage’. The United States is unlikely to strike a deal with Iran to save the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement unless Tehran releases four US citizens Washington says it is holding hostage, the lead US nuclear negotiator told the Reuters …

Biden offers to lift sanctions if Iran ‘changes course’
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden offers to lift sanctions if Iran ‘changes course’

LA Times  

Facing the possibility of renewed negotiations with Iran in the coming weeks, President Biden on Saturday opened the door to lifting sanctions as part of a diplomatic effort to prevent Tehran from building nuclear weapons. “This will only be possible if Iran changes course,” the leaders said in their statement, adding that they were urging Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi, …

Russia to expel 10 US diplomats in response to Biden actions
3 years, 11 months ago

Russia to expel 10 US diplomats in response to Biden actions

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russia on Friday responded to a barrage of new U.S. sanctions by saying it would expel 10 U.S. diplomats and take other retaliatory moves in a tense showdown with Washington. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said Moscow will move to shut down those U.S. nongovernment organizations that remain in Russia to end what he described as their meddling …

A look at new Biden administration sanctions against Russia
3 years, 11 months ago

A look at new Biden administration sanctions against Russia

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Additionally, the department took new action to sanction Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a backer of the …

Biden lifts Trump sanctions on International Criminal Court officials
3 years, 11 months ago

Biden lifts Trump sanctions on International Criminal Court officials

LA Times  

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is shown at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, in 2018. President Biden has lifted sanctions that former President Trump had imposed on two top officials of the International Criminal Court, undoing one of the past administration’s more aggressive moves targeting international institutions and officials. Rights groups on Friday applauded Biden for throwing out Trump’s …

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