All articles tagged with #sanctions
In a Havana interview, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister accuses Washington of fueling a humanitarian crisis with sanctions and threats of military action, says Cuba seeks dialogue and rejects U.S. attempts to dictate its political system, and asserts the country is prepared to pay the “maximum price” to defend its sovereignty amid intensifying U.S. pressure.
The United States has imposed sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's ability to control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint, signaling renewed pressure on Tehran over its shipping activities and regional influence.
Iran is demanding billions of its money frozen in foreign banks be released before it will engage in meaningful talks with the United States on ending the war, making the funds a central leverage in negotiations; a U.S. official said the frozen assets could be part of a deal later, but Iran would have to give up its highly enriched uranium first, underscoring a widening gap and conflicting signals about what concessions might unlock a settlement.
Trump told a cabinet meeting that the U.S. would attack Oman if it interferes in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the waterway must remain open and not be controlled by any country. He also said Iran is keen to strike a deal but the U.S. is not satisfied and will not ease sanctions yet. Rubio noted some progress in negotiations, while Iran’s claim of a draft framework was dismissed by the White House as fabrication.
Iran is pushing for a ceasefire with the United States that delivers sanctions relief and regional guarantees while avoiding major concessions on its nuclear program, signaling de-escalation yet maintaining readiness for possible renewed escalation if talks falter and seeks to translate military resilience into strategic gains.
Trump told PBS that Iran would not receive sanctions relief in exchange for surrendering highly enriched uranium, as U.S.-Iran talks continue amid broader regional diplomacy connected to the Abraham Accords.
President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet at a moment of delicate Iran negotiations, signaling an effort to push a deal to end the war while some backers warn concessions could embolden Tehran.
The United States is close to a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with a 60‑day negotiation window and sanctions relief tied to compliance; Trump urged not to rush, while talks include demining Hormuz, waivers to allow oil sales, and potential broader regional implications involving Israel and Hezbollah.
The piece argues that despite hints of rebuilding Cuba, any serious revival would require massive private investment, a functioning legal and banking framework, and sweeping policy changes after decades of sanctions; with no single dominant industry, a decayed private sector, and ongoing lawsuits over seized property, investors are wary, and meaningful change would likely need congressional action and significant political reform before US companies will commit.
Oil futures slid below $100 a barrel after talks of a possible revived Iran nuclear deal sparked market bets on higher supply, with investors weighing geopolitical risk against potential oil output changes.
The United States is close to a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with a 60‑day window to determine how enrichment is reduced and how sanctions relief is granted. President Trump says negotiations are orderly and cautions against rushing, as talks progress amid regional tensions and competing demands.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says it struck the Vtorovo fuel-pumping station in Russia’s Vladimir Oblast as part of a broader “long-range sanctions” campaign aimed at disrupting Russia’s fuel logistics to central regions and Moscow; the drone strike caused a large fire at the Transneft facility, and officials say such attacks are part of a wider effort to degrade Russia’s energy distribution with plans to intensify operations.
Trump says a memorandum of understanding to end the US-Israel war on Iran is largely negotiated, outlining a 60‑day ceasefire during which the Strait of Hormuz would be opened, Iran could freely sell oil, and talks on limiting Iran’s nuclear program would take place; the US would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and some Iranian assets would be unfrozen, with mines removed from the strait and no tolls for ships. Hostilities would reportedly halt on all fronts, though crucial details remain unclear and Tehran’s control of Hormuz is disputed by Iranian media; the potential handover of enriched uranium and other issues like ballistic missiles are not currently included in the preliminary outline.
White House officials say a final Iran deal isn’t imminent and could take several days for Tehran’s leadership, including the supreme leader, to approve, with ongoing talks over sanctions relief in exchange for limits on enrichment, disposal of Iran’s uranium stockpile, and how long any enrichment moratorium would last, while allies watch closely and Trump urges patience.
The U.S. and Iran are close to signing a 60-day memorandum of understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allow Iran to sell oil, and ease some sanctions in exchange for Iran’s commitments on its nuclear program, with negotiations to suspend enrichment and remove stockpiles to follow in a final agreement. The draft also envisages an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, a pause in further sanctions relief until verifiable concessions are made, and keeps U.S. forces in the region during the period. Mediation led by Pakistan and support from Gulf leaders are backing the plan, and a Sunday announcement is possible but not guaranteed. If Iran delivers on concessions, broader economic relief could come; if not, the deal could fall apart.