By: David Bibo
A roundup of the day’s national and international security news: US, Iran talk about Iraq, major anti-Chavez protests in Venezuela, Iraq insurgents plying their trade beyond own borders, Israel warns Hamas and considers talks with Syria.
[Al-Jazeera, AP, WaPo, Guardian] Breaking US, Iran in rare talks. Semi-Official Fars News Agency: “Talks only focus on the issues of Iraq and the revision of the US policies in Iraq.”
[NYT, Al-Jazeera] Chavez endures protests over shutting of Venezuela’s oldest TV station, which frequently criticized the President’s actions.
[NYT] Iraq insurgents being called upon to use their talents in attacks in Jordan, elsewhere.
[NYT, WaPo] Hamas kills civilian, Israel issues fresh warning.
[NYT] As Assad wins uncontested election, is Israel ready to talk with Syria?
Tags: Chavez, CIA, Fars, Hamas, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Venezuela
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Comments 3
Dear
The US must immediately impose DEFCON 1 sanctions against Iran.. Any war against Iran will be a disaster. We could lose 3500 soldiers in one day. Following are an innovative sanction regime - Defcon 1 to Defcon 4 - THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF RUSSIA, CHINA OR THE EU.
IT’S ALL ABOUT IRAN
A DRAMATIC NEW APPROACH TO IRANIAN SANCTIONS
We need to deal with Iran now otherwise the US could be left at one minute to midnight with no other option but to attack Iran. The longer the US waits to impose a meaningful sanction regime against Iran, the greater the necessity of military action will become - with all the potential disastrous political and economic consequences for both parties.
THE REALITY IS THE US DOES NOT NEED CHINA OR RUSSIA TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN. THE US CAN IMPOSE DEVASTATING RECIPROCAL SANCTIONS
The United States with or without EU/Russia/China support immediately imposes economic and political sanctions against Iran. The sanction regime is divided into 4 parts - Defcom 1 to Defcom 4 with each phase commencing every 30 days and staying in effect until the crisis is resolved. Within the space of 4 months Iran will be under total world wide devastating economic sanctions. ANY INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, COUNTRY THAT DISOBEYS ANY PART OF THE SANCTION REGIME - THEN THE TOTALITY OF THE ENTIRE SANCTION REGIME IMMEDIATELY APPLIES TO THEM.
DEFCON 1 SANCTIONS
Under Defcon 1 sanctions Iran is immediately hit with the following measures:
1. The cutting off of all military and nuclear technology, materials, training, building including the Bushehr nuclear power plant being built by the Russians.
2. The suspension of all flights - both private and commercial aircraft in or out of Iran.
3. The worldwide banning of all Iranian passports.
4. Severing all banking relationships between all Iranian Government agencies/officials/organizations, banks, companies, front companies with the entire world banking community.
5. The freezing of all Iranian assets throughout the world including all assets of Iranian Government, Iranian companies, front companies, government officials/organizations.
DEFCON 2
In 30 days, if Iran refuses to stop all uranium enrichment and sit down at the table in good faith then the imposition of the following Defcon 2 Sanctions:
1. The immediate stoppage of all forms of transportation coming in or out of Iran including, buses, automobiles, boats. Only oil tankers would be exempt.
2. Cutting off of all satellite signals, phone lines, internet connections, electricity etc.
3. The complete closure of all border crossings to Iran.
4. The complete shutting down of all economic activity/trade with the outside world except for the importation of gasoline into Iran and the export of oil and gas out of Iran.
DEFCON 3
Thirty days after the imposition of Defcon 2 sanctions, the start of Defcon 3:
1. The importation of gasoline into Iran to be ceased by all countries, companies and individuals.
DEFCON 4
120 days after the start of the first sanction regime - Defcon 4 - the stoppage of all payments for Iranian oil and gas exports - NOT THE STOPPAGE OF THE EXPORT OF IRANIAN OIL AND GAS. JUST THE PAYMENTS FOR THESE PRODUCTS.
Iran can export oil and gas to China etc but the Chinese and other countries can not send money or any other financial instruments to Iran. In short - the oil/gas flows out but no money flows in. If Iran decides to stop the export of oil to certain countries but not to others like China, then under this sanction regime all countries including China must help the affected country or countries. In short, share the pain of oil shortages. If any country refuses to cooperate then the totality of these sanctions will be imposed immediately on them.
Again, if any country, company, or individual chooses to disobey these sanctions then THE TOTALITY OF THE SANCTIONS IMMEDIATELY APPLIES TO THEM. For example, if China decides to continue trading with Iran then all trade between China and ALL countries, companies, individuals immediately ceases. All Chinese container ships on their way to the US or any other country must be turned back. All international flights in or out of China cease. All Chinese passports to be null and void etc. If any country decides to continue to trade with China then the totality of the sanctions immediately applies to them. And so on.
This sanction regime is absolutely devastating. Having these sanctions apply to any country who decides to ignore them will totally devastate that countries economy. THIS LINKAGE GIVES THESE SANCTIONS TOUGH LOVE FURIOUS TEETH.
By,
Larry Houle
Posted 28 May 2025 at 8:46 am ¶www. irandemocracy.net
E-mail: [email protected]
For the sake of discussion - An interesting idea offered by Thomas P.M. Barnett in a 2006 column for Knox News. Bottom line, Barnett recommends “economic connectivity” with Iran as a solution - as opposed to either long term isolation and sanctions/military force.
Soft-kill option best choice for Iran
Posted 01 Jun 2025 at 11:49 am ¶URL: http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/opinion_columnists/article/0,1406,KNS_364_4643581,00.html
Barnett’s conclusion might be the correct one, but he makes 3 key mistakes in drawing it.
First, Barnett confuses the US’ likely unwillingness to pay the price for a “hard-kill” win with what he labels our inability to do so. They are not the same thing.
Barnett’s second mistake is to assume that there is sufficient time for the “soft-kill” option to be effective. The range of estimates before Iran is actually able to begin production of a nuclear arsenal is considerable, and there is little likelihood that the inner sanctum of our intelligence community is any more competent or well advised about Iran than we were with regards to al Qaeda or Saddam’s Iraq.
Finally, there is the question of Israel and whether or not the US can, or would, get the Israelis to agree to Barnett’s conclusion. Whatever sort of government comes from the next Israeli election, its doubtful that the Americans will be able to constrain them from defending themselves preemptively from the threat of Hezbollah’s nuclear armed masters.
Again, Barnett’s conclusions may well correct, but his premises, particularly the unspoken ones, are far from given.
Posted 02 Jun 2025 at 12:52 am ¶Post a Comment