Joe Biden Sets Up Sanctions in Ramped-up Effort on US Hostages, Wrongful Detainees
2 years, 5 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

How the Biden administration botched America’s sanctions against Iran
6 days, 1 hour 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 weeks 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
4 months, 3 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
6 months, 1 week 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
6 months, 1 week 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 …

Trump slams Biden over US-Iran prisoner deal
1 year, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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 …

A new Iran deal shows the Biden administration is willing to pay a big price to free Americans
1 year, 3 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, 3 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 …

US defends prisoner swap deal with Iran against Republican attacks
1 year, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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, 3 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, 4 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, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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
1 year, 9 months 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
1 year, 9 months 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
1 year, 9 months 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, 2 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, 2 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, 2 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, 3 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 responds to Iran’s offer on nuke deal
2 years, 4 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 order aims to punish captors of Americans held abroad
2 years, 5 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 …

US imposes new Iran sanctions amid efforts to revive nuclear deal
2 years, 5 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
2 years, 9 months 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
2 years, 10 months 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’
2 years, 10 months 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
2 years, 11 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 …

Russia to expel 10 US diplomats in response to Biden actions
3 years, 8 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 …

Joe Biden planning package of sanctions to target Russia after Navalny poisoning
3 years, 10 months ago

Joe Biden planning package of sanctions to target Russia after Navalny poisoning

The Telegraph  

Last month, Mr Biden challenged Vladimir Putin over the poisoning of Mr Navalny and reports of Russian bounties on the heads of US soldiers in Afghanistan in their first presidential phone call. Josep Borrell, the head of the EU's foreign affairs service, said that "political agreement" on the need for sanctions was reached among the bloc’s 27 foreign affairs ministers …

US to impose sanctions on military leaders in Myanmar, Biden says
3 years, 10 months ago

US to impose sanctions on military leaders in Myanmar, Biden says

Al Jazeera  

US president calls on Myanmar generals to relinquish power and return government control to civilian leaders United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the US will impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders following their coup d’etat and called for a return of power to civilian leaders. In addition, Biden announced new direct sanctions against “the military leaders who directed …

US won’t lift Iran sanctions until nuclear deal compliance: Biden
3 years, 10 months ago

US won’t lift Iran sanctions until nuclear deal compliance: Biden

Al Jazeera  

US and Iran remain at an impasse over which country will make the first move in returning to the 2015 deal. President Joe Biden has said the United States will not lift sanctions on Iran before the country returns to its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, the latest impasse in an ongoing standoff between the two nations. Biden was …

Biden says he won’t lift sanctions on Iran to bring country back to negotiating table
3 years, 10 months ago

Biden says he won’t lift sanctions on Iran to bring country back to negotiating table

CNN  

CNN — President Joe Biden said the US will not lift sanctions to get Iran back to the negotiating table, suggesting the measure would only happen if Tehran stops enriching uranium. “No,” Biden said when asked by CBS’ Norah O’Donnell if he would make the move to start negotiations, nodding when she asked in an interview released Sunday if the …

Biden lays out foreign policy plan to reverse Trump agenda
3 years, 10 months ago

Biden lays out foreign policy plan to reverse Trump agenda

Al Jazeera  

In his first foreign policy speech as president, Biden says he will rebuild relations with allies and pursue diplomacy. US President Joe Biden laid out his foreign policy agenda on Thursday afternoon, unveiling a return to “standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and key partners once more” after years of the previous administration’s diplomacy, which tended towards isolationism. Biden …

Biden presses Iran diplomacy as new special envoy tapped
3 years, 10 months ago

Biden presses Iran diplomacy as new special envoy tapped

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says it’s going to revamp and enhance diplomacy toward Iran as the U.S. looks at restoring constraints on the country’s nuclear program and reining in its regional ambitions. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the appointment of a new special envoy for Iran on Friday, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said that restoring …

I’m a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay and I have a message for President Biden
3 years, 11 months ago

I’m a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay and I have a message for President Biden

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In that time, the president has …

No let-up: Trump administration targets Iran with more sanctions
3 years, 11 months ago

No let-up: Trump administration targets Iran with more sanctions

Al Jazeera  

With less than a week before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in, the Trump administration has slapped sanctions on firms in Iran, China and the United Arab Emirates as part of its maximum pressure campaign against Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington had sanctioned seven companies, including Chinese-based Jiangyin Mascot Special Steel Co and UAE-based Accenture Building …

Biden sets new demands for Iran nuclear deal return: NYT
4 years ago

Biden sets new demands for Iran nuclear deal return: NYT

The Hindu  

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will insist Iran agrees to new demands if it wants the U.S. to return to a nuclear deal and lift sanctions, The New York Times said on Wednesday. The Times said the Biden administration would seek to extend the duration of “restrictions on Iran’s production of fissile material that could be used to make a bomb” …

Iran vows 'quick' return to 2015 nuclear agreement if Joe Biden lifts US sanctions
4 years, 1 month ago

Iran vows 'quick' return to 2015 nuclear agreement if Joe Biden lifts US sanctions

Firstpost  

While Donald Trump has sought to maximise pressure on Iran and isolate it globally, Biden has proposed to offer the Islamic republic a return to diplomacy Tehran: Iran said it would “automatically” return to its nuclear commitments if US President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions, as the outgoing administration doubled down with more pressure. Tehran again meeting its commitments “can be …

Iran urges US’s Biden to lift sanctions, rejoin nuclear deal
4 years, 1 month ago

Iran urges US’s Biden to lift sanctions, rejoin nuclear deal

Al Jazeera  

Iran Foreign Minister Zarif did not insist on any compensation from the US – unlike other Iranian leaders who demanded ‘damages’ for sanctions. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran would fully implement its 2015 nuclear deal if US President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions on Tehran, which Zarif said could be done swiftly through “three executive orders”. ‘Terrorist administration’ …

Trump eyes executive order to punish arms trade with Iran: Report
4 years, 3 months ago

Trump eyes executive order to punish arms trade with Iran: Report

Al Jazeera  

The order comes in advance of next month’s expiry of a United Nations arms embargo on Iran. United States President Donald Trump plans to issue an executive order allowing him to impose sanctions on anyone who violates a conventional arms embargo against Iran, four sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. ‘Piling on’ Trump’s executive order is intended to …

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