Israel Matzav

How's that re-set Barack? Russia threatens US over Iran sanctions

Barack Hussein Obama has sure managed to get the US and Russia on the same wavelength, hasn't he? I don't think they're even on the same planet. Russia is threatening the United States over sanctions that target those who trade with Iran, and help Iran bring its oil to market.

Russia sharply criticized new US sanctions against Iran on Monday, saying the measures to punish banks, insurance companies and shippers that help Iran sell its oil would harm Moscow's ties with Washington if Russian firms are affected.

Russia, which has long opposed sanctions beyond those approved by the UN Security Council to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program, called the measures "overt blackmail" and a "crude contradiction of international law."

...

"We are talking about restrictive measures not only against Iran but also affecting foreign companies and individuals working with it, including in the hydrocarbon extraction and transport, petrochemicals, finance and insurance industries," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"We consider efforts to ... impose internal American legislation on the entire world completely unacceptable," it said. "We reject methods of overt blackmail that the United States resorts to in relation to the companies and banks of other countries."

"Those in Washington should take into account that our bilateral relations will suffer seriously if Russian operators ... come under the effects of the American restrictions," the ministry said.

Almost makes you wish we had that cowboy Bush in charge, who would have just told the Russians that if they don't like it, they don't have to trade with the US. Instead, with Congress going in the right direction, we can expect the tuches licker in the White House to try yet again to cozy up to the Russians.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Iran sanctions regime, Iranian nuclear threat, Russia

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:47 AM