Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah Wednesday condemned new US sanctions against two former ministers from allied political parties over alleged corruption and aid to the group.

"We view this unjust decision as a badge of honour for our two dear friends," the Iran-backed movement said in a statement after Washington the previous day blacklisted and imposed sanctions on former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and ex-transport minister Youssef Fenianos.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/timeline-from-devastating-beirut-blast-to-new-lebanese-government-324543">Timeline: From devastating Beirut blast to new Lebanese government</a>

Alongside the heavily armed, Iran-backed&nbsp;Hezbollah, Amal is one of two dominant Shi'ite factions in Lebanon's fractious sectarian political system.&nbsp;Fenianos is&nbsp;a Christian politician who is a member of the Marada party that is also allied to&nbsp;Hezbollah.

The US&nbsp;move comes at a sensitive time, as a new government is being formed under a tight deadline in a bid to extricate Lebanon from a deep economic crisis that poses the biggest threat to the country's stability since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-leaders-have-promised-cabinet-within-two-weeks-says-macron-324617">Lebanon leaders have promised cabinet within two weeks, says Macron</a>

"This decision will not change our convictions and our national and patriotic principles at all," Amal said in a statement issued after Washington added the senior Amal politician and former finance minister, Khalil, to a blacklist.

The group said imposing sanctions on Khalil was like "targeting Lebanon and its sovereignty."

Marada's leader, Suleiman Frangieh, said his party would not be influenced by Washington's decision, the Lebanese state news agency reported.&nbsp;

In a statement, Frangieh said Washington's move to impose sanctions on Finyanus was a "political decision" that would reinforce "our approach and our position."

Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib, named after the last government quit following a massive Beirut port blast in August, is seeking to form a cabinet by early next week, under pressure from France which is leading an international push for deep reforms to unlock pledges of aid.

Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah Wednesday condemned new US sanctions against two former ministers from allied political parties over alleged corruption and aid to the group.

Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah Wednesday condemned new US sanctions against two former ministers from allied political parties over alleged corruption and aid to the group. "We view this unjust decision as a badge of honour for our two dear friends," the Iran-backed movement said in a statement after Washington the previous day blacklisted and imposed sanctions on former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and ex-transport minister Youssef Fenianos. Also see: Timeline: From devastating Beirut blast to new Lebanese government Alongside the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, Amal is one of two dominant Shi'ite factions in Lebanon's fractious sectarian political system. Fenianos is a Christian politician who is a member of the Marada party that is also allied to Hezbollah. The US move comes at a sensitive time, as a new government is being formed under a tight deadline in a bid to extricate Lebanon from a deep economic crisis that poses the biggest threat to the country's stability since the 1975-1990 civil war. Also read: Lebanon leaders have promised cabinet within two weeks, says Macron "This decision will not change our convictions and our national and patriotic principles at all," Amal said in a statement issued after Washington added the senior Amal politician and former finance minister, Khalil, to a blacklist. The group said imposing sanctions on Khalil was like "targeting Lebanon and its sovereignty." Marada's leader, Suleiman Frangieh, said his party would not be influenced by Washington's decision, the Lebanese state news agency reported. In a statement, Frangieh said Washington's move to impose sanctions on Finyanus was a "political decision" that would reinforce "our approach and our position." Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib, named after the last government quit following a massive Beirut port blast in August, is seeking to form a cabinet by early next week, under pressure from France which is leading an international push for deep reforms to unlock pledges of aid.

US sanctions against Lebanon allies 'unjust', says Hezbollah

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani castigated Iran's friends on Saturday for not standing up to the United States and ignoring U.S. sanctions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran, with over 380,000 registered cases and over 22,000 deaths from coronavirus, is one of the countries worst hit by the pandemic in the Middle East.

"Over the past months since the coronavirus arrived in our country... no one came to our help," President Rouhani said in remarks broadcast live on state television.

If the United States "had a bit of humanity and brain", he said, it would have offered to "lift the sanctions for a year because of the coronavirus".

But the United States "is far more heartless and evil than those things," he added. Instead, it "imposed new sanctions and pressures on us over these past seven months of coronavirus".

At the same time, "Not a single friendly country told us that in this time of coronavirus and hardship and for the sake of humanity 'we will stand up to America'" and do business with Iran despite threats of U.S. retaliation, President Rouhani said.

In March, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a U.S. offer to help Iran in its fight against the pandemic, and denounced U.S. leaders as "charlatans and liars".

The sanctions are part of a U.S. effort to slash Iranian revenues after President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are exempt from the sanctions but the trading bans have deterred several foreign banks from doing business with Iran, including financing humanitarian deals, provoking shortages of some drugs.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani castigated Iran's friends on Saturday for not standing up to the United States and ignoring U.S. sanctions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani castigated Iran's friends on Saturday for not standing up to the United States and ignoring U.S. sanctions during the coronavirus pandemic. Iran, with over 380,000 registered cases and over 22,000 deaths from coronavirus, is one of the countries worst hit by the pandemic in the Middle East. "Over the past months since the coronavirus arrived in our country... no one came to our help," President Rouhani said in remarks broadcast live on state television. If the United States "had a bit of humanity and brain", he said, it would have offered to "lift the sanctions for a year because of the coronavirus". But the United States "is far more heartless and evil than those things," he added. Instead, it "imposed new sanctions and pressures on us over these past seven months of coronavirus". At the same time, "Not a single friendly country told us that in this time of coronavirus and hardship and for the sake of humanity 'we will stand up to America'" and do business with Iran despite threats of U.S. retaliation, President Rouhani said. In March, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a U.S. offer to help Iran in its fight against the pandemic, and denounced U.S. leaders as "charlatans and liars". The sanctions are part of a U.S. effort to slash Iranian revenues after President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are exempt from the sanctions but the trading bans have deterred several foreign banks from doing business with Iran, including financing humanitarian deals, provoking shortages of some drugs.

Friends should have defied US sanctions during pandemic: Iran president 

The United States is considering imposing sanctions on seven Belarusians it believes were involved in falsifying the results of the Aug. 9 election and in violence against peaceful protesters, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday.

US considers imposing sanctions on seven Belarusian officials

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-states-asked-to-be-ready-to-distribute-coronavirus-vaccine-by-november-1-report-324847">US states asked to be ready to distribute coronavirus vaccine by November 1: Report</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus vaccine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8a223ae6-f3d1-464a-a97e-8716b4fa48ce" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vaccine2.jpg" />

US President Donald Trump had promised to bring in the vaccine before the US elections which takes place on November 3.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-international-criminal-court-prosecutor-fatou-bensouda-over-investigation-of-us-soldiers-in-alleged-war-crimes-in-afghanistan-324849">US sanctions International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda</a>

<img alt="ICC santions" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e207e529-ae43-485e-a113-c4f40c92e71e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pompeo2.jpg" />

US sanctions were also initiated against Phakiso Mochochoko, director of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementary and Cooperation Division.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-tit-for-tat-move-us-imposes-fresh-restrictions-on-chinese-diplomats-324854">In tit-for-tat move, US imposes fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats</a>

<img alt="Pompeo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb0e7908-0b57-4824-9682-8b8ba29dcf0b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pompeo_0.jpg" />

US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance against China in the run-up to US Presidential Elections 2020 slated to be held in November.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-Dwayne-Johnson-reveals-he-and-family-have-recovered-from-COVID-19-urges-fans-to-wear-masks-324852">Dwayne Johnson reveals he and family have recovered from COVID-19, urges fans to wear masks</a>

<img alt="Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e233e57-ac75-4249-9fe8-5caf4c8c7192" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Johnson1.jpg" />

Johnson said in the Instagram post that he and his spouse, Lauren and their daughters, Jasmine, 4, and Tiana, 2, caught the virus about 2-1/2 weeks ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-is-america-still-burning-324839">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Why is America still burning?</a>

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US states asked to be ready to distribute coronavirus vaccine by November 1: Report US President Donald Trump had promised to bring in the vaccine before the US elections which takes place on November 3.

US states asked to be ready to distribute coronavirus vaccine by November 1: Report US President Donald Trump had promised to bring in the vaccine before the US elections which takes place on November 3. US sanctions International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda US sanctions were also initiated against Phakiso Mochochoko, director of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementary and Cooperation Division. In tit-for-tat move, US imposes fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance against China in the run-up to US Presidential Elections 2020 slated to be held in November. Dwayne Johnson reveals he and family have recovered from COVID-19, urges fans to wear masks Johnson said in the Instagram post that he and his spouse, Lauren and their daughters, Jasmine, 4, and Tiana, 2, caught the virus about 2-1/2 weeks ago. Watch: Gravitas: Why is America still burning?

Morning news brief: US states asked to be ready to distribute COVID-19 vaccine, US sanctions ICC prosecutor & more

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced sanctions against the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court(ICC), Fatou Bensouda over investigation of US soldiers for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-criminal-courts-decision-on-us-troops-illegitimate-and-unjustified-pompeo-284588">Also Read:&nbsp;ICC's decision on US troops illegitimate and unjustified, says&nbsp;Pompeo</a>

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly."

US sanctions were also initiated against Phakiso Mochochoko, director of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementary and Cooperation Division. Pompeo said Mochochoko was sanctioned for "having materially assisted prosecutor Bensouda".

The US secretary of state added that broader sanctions could be applied to those helping Mochochoko and Bensouda. The ICC in a statement condemned the move, saying: "The International Criminal Court condemns the economic sanctions imposed by the US earlier today on the court's prosecutor and a member of her office."

"These coercive acts, directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants, are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the court, the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice, and the rule of law more generally," it added.

In June, US President Donald Trump had allowed sanctions on the tribunal for probing and prosecuting US troops. Pompeo had called the ICC a "kangaroo court", while US Attorney General Bill Barr had said that ICC has become "little more than a political tool employed by unaccountable international elites."

China, Russia, the United States, Israel and Syria including other countries are not members of the ICC which prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Trump under his executive powers had earlier cleared three US military members over war crimes. 
&nbsp;

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced sanctions against the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court(ICC), Fatou Bensouda over investigation of US soldiers for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced sanctions against the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court(ICC), Fatou Bensouda over investigation of US soldiers for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. Also Read: ICC's decision on US troops illegitimate and unjustified, says Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly." US sanctions were also initiated against Phakiso Mochochoko, director of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementary and Cooperation Division. Pompeo said Mochochoko was sanctioned for "having materially assisted prosecutor Bensouda". The US secretary of state added that broader sanctions could be applied to those helping Mochochoko and Bensouda. The ICC in a statement condemned the move, saying: "The International Criminal Court condemns the economic sanctions imposed by the US earlier today on the court's prosecutor and a member of her office." "These coercive acts, directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants, are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the court, the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice, and the rule of law more generally," it added. In June, US President Donald Trump had allowed sanctions on the tribunal for probing and prosecuting US troops. Pompeo had called the ICC a "kangaroo court", while US Attorney General Bill Barr had said that ICC has become "little more than a political tool employed by unaccountable international elites." China, Russia, the United States, Israel and Syria including other countries are not members of the ICC which prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Trump under his executive powers had earlier cleared three US military members over war crimes.

US sanctions International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over investigation of US soldiers in alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

The president of the UN Security Council, Indonesia, has said it was "not in the position to take further action" on a US bid to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran

UNSC Rejects US' demand to restore sanctions on Iran

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that US&nbsp;sanctions against her will cause ''inconvenience'' in her personal affairs, but nothing she will take to heart.

Washington had imposed sanctions against senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials for actions it said curtailed political freedoms in the former British colony.

The US&nbsp;Treasury Department singled out Lam for "implementing Beijing's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes".

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/hong-kong-protests-china-timeline-of-hong-kongs-struggle-against-chinese-hegemony-309674">Timeline of Hong Kong's struggle against Chinese hegemony</a>

The sanctions came in response to China's imposition of a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous city after prolonged anti-China, pro-democracy protests last year.

The legislation punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and has drawn criticism from Western countries that worry the law will end the freedoms promised when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-returns-cambridge-fellowship-over-rights-row-320941">Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam returns Cambridge fellowship over rights row</a>

The sanctions freeze any US&nbsp;assets of the officials targeted and bar Americans from doing business with them.

Lam said that while she could not travel to the United States herself, her government would continue to promote Hong Kong to US&nbsp;businesses.

The US&nbsp;government has also required goods made in the former British colony for export to the United States to be labelled as made in China after Sept. 25.

Lam said Hong Kong and China were separate WTO members and Hong Kong would lodge a complaint against the U.S. decision.

The Hong Kong government initially denounced the US&nbsp;sanctions as "shameless and despicable" and "blatant and barbaric" interference in China's internal affairs.

Beijing and Lam's government have defended the national security law as necessary for the city's stability and prosperity, and they said imposing it was China's legitimate right.

Asked about the international community's criticism of last week's arrest of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and the search of his Apple Daily newsroom by some 200 police officers, Lam said she could not comment on individual cases, but warned of "double standards" in concerns expressed by other countries.

She said the government's decision to postpone elections for the city's legislature for a year amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases was criticised by countries that did not level similar criticism of other governments that postponed votes.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that US sanctions against her will cause ''inconvenience'' in her personal affairs, but nothing she will take to heart.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that US sanctions against her will cause ''inconvenience'' in her personal affairs, but nothing she will take to heart. Washington had imposed sanctions against senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials for actions it said curtailed political freedoms in the former British colony. The US Treasury Department singled out Lam for "implementing Beijing's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes". Also see: Timeline of Hong Kong's struggle against Chinese hegemony The sanctions came in response to China's imposition of a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous city after prolonged anti-China, pro-democracy protests last year. The legislation punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and has drawn criticism from Western countries that worry the law will end the freedoms promised when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Also read: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam returns Cambridge fellowship over rights row The sanctions freeze any US assets of the officials targeted and bar Americans from doing business with them. Lam said that while she could not travel to the United States herself, her government would continue to promote Hong Kong to US businesses. The US government has also required goods made in the former British colony for export to the United States to be labelled as made in China after Sept. 25. Lam said Hong Kong and China were separate WTO members and Hong Kong would lodge a complaint against the U.S. decision. The Hong Kong government initially denounced the US sanctions as "shameless and despicable" and "blatant and barbaric" interference in China's internal affairs. Beijing and Lam's government have defended the national security law as necessary for the city's stability and prosperity, and they said imposing it was China's legitimate right. Asked about the international community's criticism of last week's arrest of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and the search of his Apple Daily newsroom by some 200 police officers, Lam said she could not comment on individual cases, but warned of "double standards" in concerns expressed by other countries. She said the government's decision to postpone elections for the city's legislature for a year amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases was criticised by countries that did not level similar criticism of other governments that postponed votes.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam calls US sanctions an 'inconvenience'

Huawei Technologies Co, which has been facing boycott globally for its alleged links with the Chinese government and the world growing wary of products coming out of China, might soon be unable to keep making chipsets in the face of pressure.

US at the forefront

US had been at the forefront of the anti-Huawei sentiment in terms of 5G connectivity, but in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-China sentiment running strong, countries like the UK have also banned Huawei’s role in 5G networks and will work to phase out usage of company components over the next decade.

Due to this backlash, Huawei will halt the production of its flagship Kirin chipsets starting September 2020, first reported by magazine Caixin.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/amid-tensions-over-huawei-chinese-court-sentences-canadian-national-to-death-318573" hreflang="en">Amid tensions over Huawei, Chinese court sentences Canadian national to death</a>

With all eyes on China, Huawei’s suppliers are unable to keep up the production of chipsets, which is an important component of every smartphone. Richard Yu, the CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Unit revealed this news during the launch of the company’s new mobile called Mate 40.

US is pressurising governments across the world to boycott Huawei, claiming the company is handing out user data to the Chinese government, a claim which has staunchly denied by the company.

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A trajectory of boycott

Similarly, the Chinese app TikTok has been placed under a lot of scrutiny. India became the first country to officially ban Chinese apps including TikTok and CamScanner after a border skirmish. The trend has been picked up by countries around the globe, who feel China needs to sidelined for hiding information about COVID-19 in its early stages, which could have prevented its transmission across the globe.

The US has upped the ante against the company, demanding the extradition of the company’s chief financial officer - Meng Wanzhou from Canada on charges of bank fraud.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/chinas-huawei-overtakes-samsung-as-top-smartphone-seller-316933" hreflang="en">China's Huawei overtakes Samsung as top smartphone seller</a>

In May 2020, US had issued orders to its software and manufacturing equipment suppliers to stop all business with the company, unless a license was first obtained.

"From September 15 onward, our flagship Kirin processors cannot be produced… Our AI-powered chips also cannot be processed. This is a huge loss for us”, the company chief announced, according to Caixin.

Huawei Technologies Co, which has been facing boycott globally for its alleged links with the Chinese government and the world growing wary of products coming out of China, might soon be unable to keep making chipsets in the face of pressure.

Huawei Technologies Co, which has been facing boycott globally for its alleged links with the Chinese government and the world growing wary of products coming out of China, might soon be unable to keep making chipsets in the face of pressure. US at the forefront US had been at the forefront of the anti-Huawei sentiment in terms of 5G connectivity, but in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-China sentiment running strong, countries like the UK have also banned Huawei’s role in 5G networks and will work to phase out usage of company components over the next decade. Due to this backlash, Huawei will halt the production of its flagship Kirin chipsets starting September 2020, first reported by magazine Caixin. Also read: Amid tensions over Huawei, Chinese court sentences Canadian national to death With all eyes on China, Huawei’s suppliers are unable to keep up the production of chipsets, which is an important component of every smartphone. Richard Yu, the CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Unit revealed this news during the launch of the company’s new mobile called Mate 40. US is pressurising governments across the world to boycott Huawei, claiming the company is handing out user data to the Chinese government, a claim which has staunchly denied by the company. A trajectory of boycott Similarly, the Chinese app TikTok has been placed under a lot of scrutiny. India became the first country to officially ban Chinese apps including TikTok and CamScanner after a border skirmish. The trend has been picked up by countries around the globe, who feel China needs to sidelined for hiding information about COVID-19 in its early stages, which could have prevented its transmission across the globe. The US has upped the ante against the company, demanding the extradition of the company’s chief financial officer - Meng Wanzhou from Canada on charges of bank fraud. Also read: China's Huawei overtakes Samsung as top smartphone seller In May 2020, US had issued orders to its software and manufacturing equipment suppliers to stop all business with the company, unless a license was first obtained. "From September 15 onward, our flagship Kirin processors cannot be produced… Our AI-powered chips also cannot be processed. This is a huge loss for us”, the company chief announced, according to Caixin.

Huawei to halt production of flagship chipsets in September as pressure against company mounts

United States' Trump administration has sanctioned the Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam over her role in curtailing political freedom in the Hong Kong.

US sanctioned Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam over crackdown on protesters

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Luo Huining, the head of China's Liaison Office, as well as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and other current and former officials that Washington accuses of curtailing political freedoms in the global financial hub.

The move ratchets up already strained tensions between the United States and China, more than a month after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on Hong Kong that drew condemnation from Western governments and rights groups.

"The unscrupulous intentions of the US politicians to support the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong have been revealed, and their clowning actions are really ridiculous," the Liaison Office said in a statement.

"Intimidation and threats cannot frighten the Chinese people."

Luo, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinese-controlled territory, said US sanctions on him indicated he was doing what he "should be doing for my country and Hong Kong", according to the statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-democracy-activist-nathan-law-hails-us-sanctions-on-hong-kongs-officials-over-crackdown-318989">Also read | Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law hails US sanctions on Hong Kong's officials over crackdown</a>

As well as Luo and Lam, the sanctions target Hong Kong police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Stephen Lo; John Lee, Hong Kong`s secretary of security, and Teresa Cheng, the justice secretary. Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, was also on the list.

The sanctions were imposed under an executive order US President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest action by his administration against Beijing in the run-up to his November re-election bid.

“The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and we will use our tools and authorities to target those undermining their autonomy,” Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

The sanctions freeze any US asset of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them.

Beijing imposed the law directly on Hong Kong just before midnight on June 30, circumventing the city's legislature, and the city's officials were not aware of the details of the law until it was implemented.

(with inputs from agencies)

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Luo Huining, the head of China's Liaison Office, as well as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and other current and former officials that Washington accuses of curtailing political freedoms in the global financial hub.

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Luo Huining, the head of China's Liaison Office, as well as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and other current and former officials that Washington accuses of curtailing political freedoms in the global financial hub. The move ratchets up already strained tensions between the United States and China, more than a month after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on Hong Kong that drew condemnation from Western governments and rights groups. "The unscrupulous intentions of the US politicians to support the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong have been revealed, and their clowning actions are really ridiculous," the Liaison Office said in a statement. "Intimidation and threats cannot frighten the Chinese people." Luo, the most senior mainland political official based in the Chinese-controlled territory, said US sanctions on him indicated he was doing what he "should be doing for my country and Hong Kong", according to the statement. Also read | Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law hails US sanctions on Hong Kong's officials over crackdown As well as Luo and Lam, the sanctions target Hong Kong police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Stephen Lo; John Lee, Hong Kong`s secretary of security, and Teresa Cheng, the justice secretary. Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, was also on the list. The sanctions were imposed under an executive order US President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest action by his administration against Beijing in the run-up to his November re-election bid. “The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and we will use our tools and authorities to target those undermining their autonomy,” Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in the statement. The sanctions freeze any US asset of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them. Beijing imposed the law directly on Hong Kong just before midnight on June 30, circumventing the city's legislature, and the city's officials were not aware of the details of the law until it was implemented. (with inputs from agencies)

China says it opposes 'barbarous' Hong Kong sanctions by United States

Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has hailed US decision of imposing sanctions against Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam and ten other officials for their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory.

"There will be more and more individuals that will be sanctioned. There will be second wave and third wave. Tension between China and US will rise. So, this is just the start of the whole disciplinary actions," Law said in an exclusive conversation with WION.

Law said that the whole Hong Kong government was working under the Chinese Communist Party. He vowed to pursue the fight for democracy and raising voice for legitimate demand.

"The Hong Kong youth demands of autonomic democracy, which the same Chinese Communist Party has promised Hong Kong people in 1984 and after the handover, so we are raising legitimate demand, but the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping ,all they want is to concentrate power," he said.

The sanctions were imposed under an executive order US President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest action by his administration against Beijing in the run-up to his November re-election bid.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-hong-kongs-lam-other-officials-over-crackdown-318908">Also read |&nbsp;US imposes sanctions on Hong Kong's Lam, other officials over crackdown</a>

Law said he had a "very constructive" meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as it sent "a very strong signal to the public that the US and the global Community would stay very focused on Hong Kong Affairs and human rights violation of China."

Law was a leader of the 2014 Occupy Central demonstrations, also known as the Umbrella Movement, which called for a freely elected government in Hong Kong. He was elected two years later to the city's legislature but then ousted with five others judged to have taken their oaths of office improperly.

Asked about how he thinks he can drive this ongoing evolution by becoming a voice outside his homeland, Law said, "The international front to the movement is so important because by having more International support from the government and from the people, we put more pressure on the Chinese government and hope for compassion and result of the movement."

Nathan Law is among the 24 charged over roles in banned June 4 Tiananmen Square vigil. He brushed off the facts that the majority of the Hong Kongers believe that the elections should have been postponed.

"If you look into a more credible data, &nbsp;then more than half of the respondents, do not agree that the elections should be postponed and only around 15 per cent of them agreed."

Law believed that the government "has not been Consulting any world democratically elected Congressman or parliamentarian and the government has not been listening to the demands of the people.&nbsp;

Fearing persecution under the new legislation, Law fled Hong Kong for London in early July, leaving behind family and friends.

When asked if he plans to return his homeland, Law thinks it is a distant goal for him as he may be "immediately arrested".

Last month, Carrie Lam postponed a Sept. 6 election to Hong Kong's legislature by a year because of a rise in coronavirus cases, dealing a blow to the pro-democracy opposition that had hoped to make huge gains.

The United States condemned the action, saying it was the latest example of Beijing undermining democracy in the Chinese-ruled territory.

Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has hailed US decision of imposing sanctions against Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam and ten other officials for their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory.

Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has hailed US decision of imposing sanctions against Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam and ten other officials for their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory. "There will be more and more individuals that will be sanctioned. There will be second wave and third wave. Tension between China and US will rise. So, this is just the start of the whole disciplinary actions," Law said in an exclusive conversation with WION. Law said that the whole Hong Kong government was working under the Chinese Communist Party. He vowed to pursue the fight for democracy and raising voice for legitimate demand. "The Hong Kong youth demands of autonomic democracy, which the same Chinese Communist Party has promised Hong Kong people in 1984 and after the handover, so we are raising legitimate demand, but the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping ,all they want is to concentrate power," he said. The sanctions were imposed under an executive order US President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest action by his administration against Beijing in the run-up to his November re-election bid. Also read | US imposes sanctions on Hong Kong's Lam, other officials over crackdown Law said he had a "very constructive" meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as it sent "a very strong signal to the public that the US and the global Community would stay very focused on Hong Kong Affairs and human rights violation of China." Law was a leader of the 2014 Occupy Central demonstrations, also known as the Umbrella Movement, which called for a freely elected government in Hong Kong. He was elected two years later to the city's legislature but then ousted with five others judged to have taken their oaths of office improperly. Asked about how he thinks he can drive this ongoing evolution by becoming a voice outside his homeland, Law said, "The international front to the movement is so important because by having more International support from the government and from the people, we put more pressure on the Chinese government and hope for compassion and result of the movement." Nathan Law is among the 24 charged over roles in banned June 4 Tiananmen Square vigil. He brushed off the facts that the majority of the Hong Kongers believe that the elections should have been postponed. "If you look into a more credible data, then more than half of the respondents, do not agree that the elections should be postponed and only around 15 per cent of them agreed." Law believed that the government "has not been Consulting any world democratically elected Congressman or parliamentarian and the government has not been listening to the demands of the people. Fearing persecution under the new legislation, Law fled Hong Kong for London in early July, leaving behind family and friends. When asked if he plans to return his homeland, Law thinks it is a distant goal for him as he may be "immediately arrested". Last month, Carrie Lam postponed a Sept. 6 election to Hong Kong's legislature by a year because of a rise in coronavirus cases, dealing a blow to the pro-democracy opposition that had hoped to make huge gains. The United States condemned the action, saying it was the latest example of Beijing undermining democracy in the Chinese-ruled territory.

Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law hails US sanctions on Hong Kong's officials over crackdown

A supermarket filled with Iranian goods opened in Caracas, Venezuela. The supermarket is filled with more Persian labels than Spanish ones, it's the latest show of support from its Middle-Eastern ally after US sanctions.

Iran opens supermarket in Venezuela | US sanctions | Wion

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions aimed at depriving the Syrian regime of funds and warned that Washington would blacklist anyone doing business with Bashar al Assad's regime

U.S imposes sanctions on Bashar Al-Assad's son

The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods.

Washington, together with other western nations and rights groups, has accused Beijing of interning at least a million Muslims from the Uighur ethnic group in the western Xinjiang region.

In a statement, the Commerce Department said the 11 sanctioned companies are "implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of the People's Republic of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses."

Commerce sanctioned nine companies -- Changji Esquel Textile, Hefei Bitland Information Technology, Hefei Meiling, Hetian Haolin Hair Accessories, Hetian Taida Apparel, KTK Group, Nanjing Synergy Textiles, Nanchang O-Film Tech and Tanyuan Technology -- for involvement in forced labor.

Xinjiang Silk Road and Beijing Liuhe were both sanctioned for "conducting genetic analyses used to further the repression" of Uighurs, Commerce said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month called China's treatment of Uighurs "the stain of the century."

But Beijing denies an wrongdoing, saying Uighurs are attending vocational training centers.

The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods.

The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods. Washington, together with other western nations and rights groups, has accused Beijing of interning at least a million Muslims from the Uighur ethnic group in the western Xinjiang region. In a statement, the Commerce Department said the 11 sanctioned companies are "implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of the People's Republic of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses." Commerce sanctioned nine companies -- Changji Esquel Textile, Hefei Bitland Information Technology, Hefei Meiling, Hetian Haolin Hair Accessories, Hetian Taida Apparel, KTK Group, Nanjing Synergy Textiles, Nanchang O-Film Tech and Tanyuan Technology -- for involvement in forced labor. Xinjiang Silk Road and Beijing Liuhe were both sanctioned for "conducting genetic analyses used to further the repression" of Uighurs, Commerce said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month called China's treatment of Uighurs "the stain of the century." But Beijing denies an wrongdoing, saying Uighurs are attending vocational training centers.

US blacklists 11 Chinese firms for human rights violations against Uighurs

An Iranian oil tanker docked in a Venezuela port today after entering its waters on Saturday night, escorted by the Venezuelan navy.

A second tanker - the Forest is also being escorted by the Venezuelan Navy as authorities said five tankers were set to arrive in the country in the next few days.

The development is being keenly watched by US authorities amid growing Venezeula-Iran ties in South America as Maduro's regime battles US sanctions.

Venezuelan oil minister Tareck El Aissami had earlier said "The ships of the sister Islamic Republic of Iran are in our exclusive economic zone."

Reports said the tankers were carrying &nbsp;1.5 million barrels of gasoline. Iran had earlier warned of "consequences" if the Trump administration stopped the ships with Venezuela reeling with gasoline shortages.

"We're ready for whatever, whenever," President Nicolas Maduro told state-run media as he announced that the tankers would be escorted by the country's Navy and Air Force.

The National Security Council of the United States had earlier said that "the importation of Iranian gasoline is an act of desperation by the corrupt and illegitimate Maduro regime."

"It will not stop Venezuela’s chronic fuel shortages or alleviate the suffering that Maduro has inflicted on the once prosperous people of his country," it said.

An Iranian oil tanker docked in a Venezuela port today after entering its waters on Saturday night, escorted by the Venezuelan navy. A second tanker - the Forest is also being escorted by the Venezuelan Navy as authorities said five tankers were set to arrive in the country in the next few days.

An Iranian oil tanker docked in a Venezuela port today after entering its waters on Saturday night, escorted by the Venezuelan navy. A second tanker - the Forest is also being escorted by the Venezuelan Navy as authorities said five tankers were set to arrive in the country in the next few days. The development is being keenly watched by US authorities amid growing Venezeula-Iran ties in South America as Maduro's regime battles US sanctions. Venezuelan oil minister Tareck El Aissami had earlier said "The ships of the sister Islamic Republic of Iran are in our exclusive economic zone." Reports said the tankers were carrying 1.5 million barrels of gasoline. Iran had earlier warned of "consequences" if the Trump administration stopped the ships with Venezuela reeling with gasoline shortages. "We're ready for whatever, whenever," President Nicolas Maduro told state-run media as he announced that the tankers would be escorted by the country's Navy and Air Force. The National Security Council of the United States had earlier said that "the importation of Iranian gasoline is an act of desperation by the corrupt and illegitimate Maduro regime." "It will not stop Venezuela’s chronic fuel shortages or alleviate the suffering that Maduro has inflicted on the once prosperous people of his country," it said.

Iran oil tanker docks in Venezuela port as US monitors shipment

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over American sanctions impacting fight against coronavirus crisis in the Ismalic Republic.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over American sanctions impacting fight against coronavirus crisis in the Ismalic Republic. The Iranian leader wrote to other global leaders as well. Iranian president in the letter wrote, ''virus knows no boundary and claims, victims, without political, religious, ethnic and racial considerations''. In a tweet Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said, "In a letter to counterparts @HassanRouhani informs how efforts to fight #COVID19 pandemic in Iran have been severely hampered by US sanctions, urging them to cease observing them: It is IMMORAL to let a bully kill innocents" "Viruses recognize no politics or geography. Nor should we," he added. US imposed punitive sanctions on Iran after pulling out of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in November of 2018. The Iran deal or JCPOA was signed in 2015 after talks between five permanent members of UN Security council --US, Russia, China, Britain, France & European Union, Germany and Iran. The deal led to the removal of UN sanctions on Iran with the latter committing to curtailing its nuclear programme. Due to US sanctions, anyone importing oil from Iran will also be sanctioned, thus impacting Tehran economically in a major way. While US sanctions made no exceptions, India got wavier for the Chabahar project in which New Delhi has stakes. The port got major Indian investments and is helping India connect with landlocked Afghanistan. The port got functional last year and has been helping drive trade and connectivity between India and Afghanistan.

Iran president writes to Indian PM, says US sanctions impacting fight against coronavirus 

Health care ought to be affordable and accessible with this ambitious goal, Iran set up many drug factories. Today it is a world leader in the production of generic drugs.

They have even branched out into making cancer drugs. Middle east's biggest cancer drug producer is in Iran. But over the past two years, drug production has dropped. Vital cancer drugs went off the shelf drug companies attribute this to the US Sanctions.

The import restriction is not on drug salts alone equipment used by the drug companies face sanctions under the label "dual-use".

Procuring spare parts for existing machines has become an uphill task what Iran has lost due to sanctions is immense.

The US exported 26 million dollars worth pharmaceutical products to Iran. Since 2018, this has fallen to over 8 million dollars.&nbsp;

French pharmaceutical exports till 2018 were 218 million dollars after sanctions, they fell by 25 per cent to 164 million dollars.

Exports from Swiss pharma companies were 240 million dollars in 2017 within a year, the business dropped to 167 million dollars.

According to Dr Reza Mostofi, general manage of Actoverco production plant "One of the other products that we are producing is Rituximab which is a monoclonal antibody; Rituximab is used in leukaemia, in breast cancer and many other types of cancer, that's the main immunotherapy drug for the patients. So for some times, we haven't been able to import the ingredients of this material so our line for Rituximab is now stopped."

"In radiotherapy or nuclear medicine, these sanctions have had an impact. We are producers of nuclear medicine ourselves, but again, some aspects of them have been sanctioned under the pretence of multiple functions," said Kianoosh Jahanpoor, Iran Health Ministry Spokesman.

Sanctions impact on Iran

The United States of America 
$ 26 million: US pharma exports till 2018 
$ 8.6 million: US pharma exports in 2018-19

France&nbsp; 
Pre-sanction: $ 218 million pharma exports&nbsp; 
Post-sanction: $ 164 million (drop of 25%)

Switzerland 
Pharma exports in 2017: $ 240 million in 2017 
Pharma exports in 2018: $ 167 million in 2018

Health care ought to be affordable and accessible with this ambitious goal, Iran set up many drug factories. Today it is a world leader in the production of generic drugs.

Health care ought to be affordable and accessible with this ambitious goal, Iran set up many drug factories. Today it is a world leader in the production of generic drugs. They have even branched out into making cancer drugs. Middle east's biggest cancer drug producer is in Iran. But over the past two years, drug production has dropped. Vital cancer drugs went off the shelf drug companies attribute this to the US Sanctions. The import restriction is not on drug salts alone equipment used by the drug companies face sanctions under the label "dual-use". Procuring spare parts for existing machines has become an uphill task what Iran has lost due to sanctions is immense. The US exported 26 million dollars worth pharmaceutical products to Iran. Since 2018, this has fallen to over 8 million dollars. French pharmaceutical exports till 2018 were 218 million dollars after sanctions, they fell by 25 per cent to 164 million dollars. Exports from Swiss pharma companies were 240 million dollars in 2017 within a year, the business dropped to 167 million dollars. According to Dr Reza Mostofi, general manage of Actoverco production plant "One of the other products that we are producing is Rituximab which is a monoclonal antibody; Rituximab is used in leukaemia, in breast cancer and many other types of cancer, that's the main immunotherapy drug for the patients. So for some times, we haven't been able to import the ingredients of this material so our line for Rituximab is now stopped." "In radiotherapy or nuclear medicine, these sanctions have had an impact. We are producers of nuclear medicine ourselves, but again, some aspects of them have been sanctioned under the pretence of multiple functions," said Kianoosh Jahanpoor, Iran Health Ministry Spokesman. Sanctions impact on Iran The United States of America $ 26 million: US pharma exports till 2018 $ 8.6 million: US pharma exports in 2018-19 France Pre-sanction: $ 218 million pharma exports Post-sanction: $ 164 million (drop of 25%) Switzerland Pharma exports in 2017: $ 240 million in 2017 Pharma exports in 2018: $ 167 million in 2018

US sanctions cut off Iranians' access to medicine

China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, let the cat out of the bag this week when he lambasted Canberra over its decision to exclude Huawei from the build-out of Australia’s 5G network.

In uncharacteristically sharp diplomatic language, Cheng described Australia’s campaign against Huawei as “politically motivated” and “discriminatory”.

This is not the first time Chinese officials have voiced their country’s displeasure with the Australian government’s campaign against Huawei. But Cheng’s public intervention represents the most direct criticism of Australia in what is shaping as a defining issue in relations between China and the West.

A burgeoning technology war with China

It is now clear America and its allies are engaged in what has the makings of a full-blown technology war. The ultimate destination of this conflict is unclear, but its ramifications will scar international relationships for decades to come.

The rawness of this issue is likely to become more pronounced as China spreads its superfast 5G technology across the globe in competition with the more expensive Nokia and Ericsson systems. Huawei technology accounts for about 30% of the world’s mobile technology market, double the reach of its nearest rivals.

America and its allies fear Huawei’s penetration – indeed dominance – of the market for 5G will give the Chinese company, and China itself, a “backdoor” into communications systems globally.

The battle over Huawei is merely the most visible manifestation of the conflict between the US, the longtime leader in technology, and China, the emerging technology superpower. China’s advances in areas like artificial intelligence are already turning assumptions about American technological superiority upside down.

What is in peril is a global communications system in which various players find ways to integrate their technologies. A technology wrangle involving combatants in a fight for dominance in a data-hungry world is giving new meaning to the word “disruption”.

China’s displeasure with Australia’s role

Behind the scenes, China has made no secret of its angst over Australia’s role as what it perceives to be a stalking horse for Washington in a campaign against Huawei and, by extension, other Chinese technology companies.

A lobbying campaign conducted in 2018 by Andrew Shearer, then deputy head of the Office of National Intelligence, particularly incensed Beijing. He had sought to persuade the UK to exclude Huawei from its 5G build-out.

In 2018, Australia became the first country to bar Huawei from providing 5G technology. Shearer is now cabinet secretary and close to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

No Australian prime minister has visited Beijing since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016.

Cool relations between Canberra and Beijing can be attributed in great part to these behind-the-scenes lobbying activities against Huawei by a member of the so-called “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing establishment (in partnership with the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand).

The UK’s decision, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump, to enable Huawei to help build non-core elements of its 5G network is causing a crisis of confidence among “Five Eyes” participants.

How to deal with China in a new era in which American technological dominance is eroding fast lies at the centre of this argument.

Fallout in Australia from internal “Five Eyes” wrangling over the Chinese company emerged in the past week or so. It was revealed Anthony Byrne, the deputy chair of the Australian Parliament’s intelligence committee, had upbraided visiting British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over the UK’s decision to allow Huawei to help build its 5G network.

That confrontation was leaked to the media and caused the cancellation of a visit to the UK by leaders of the intelligence committee. Committee chair Andrew Hastie and Byrne will now travel to Washington instead of for consultations on the Huawei issue.

In some respects, these arguments among friends and allies might be regarded as a storm in a teacup since Australian parliamentary committees are relatively powerless.

However, it is not overstating the case to say differences among the “Five Eyes” on the Huawei issue pose a threat to a long-standing Western consensus about how to manage relations with China more generally.

Fighting words from the US 
 
These cracks were visible at the just-concluded Munich security conference. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper warned that alliances, including the future of NATO itself, were in jeopardy if European countries went ahead with using Huawei technology in their 5G networks.

In an unusually sharp and direct criticism of China, Esper described Huawei as the “China poster child for its nefarious industrial strategy”, one that is “fuelled by theft and coercion and the exploitation of free-market, private companies and universities”. He added: "Reliance on Chinese 5G vendors could render our partners’ critical systems vulnerable to disruption, manipulations and espionage. The Chinese Communist Party is heading even faster and further in the wrong direction with more internal repression, more predatory behaviour, more heavy-handedness and a more aggressive military posture. It is essential that the international community wake up to the challenge."

These are fighting words, but it is at least questionable whether Washington, with the assistance of allies like Australia, will prevail in its efforts to shut Huawei and other Chinese technology companies out of the biggest and most lucrative market of the 21st century – advanced technology.

If there was a consensus among the participants in Munich, it was that Western countries needed to tread warily in absorbing Chinese technology into their communications systems to the point where dependence on China would become irreversible.

A smattering of officials, including Fu Ying, former ambassador to Britain and Australia, represented Beijing at the conference. She posed a rhetorical question that will have resonated with some attendees: "Do you really think the democratic system is so fragile it could be threatened by this single high-tech company, Huawei?"

US moves in court against Huawei 
 
Meanwhile, Washington added fuel to an already heated “technology war” by charging Huawei and two of its subsidiaries with federal racketeering and conspiracy to steal trade secrets from US companies.

This represents a significant escalation in the US campaign against Huawei.

Washington is accusing Huawei of purloining trade secrets, including source codes and wireless technology, from six companies. These were not named but are believed to include US technology giants Cisco and Motorola.

These “racketeering” charges are separate from extradition hearings in Canada involving Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer and daughter of its founder.

Washington is seeking Meng’s extradition on charges of participating in a decade-long attempt by the company to steal state secrets, obstruct a criminal investigation and evade economic sanctions against Iran.

Whether it likes it or not, the Australian government finds itself attached to an American campaign against Huawei and, in turn, a slew of other Chinese companies.

Leaving aside a conventional trade war between the US and China over soybeans and consumer durables, a technology conflict will prove longer-lasting and certainly more disruptive.

(Tony Walker is Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-global-battle-over-huawei-could-prove-more-disruptive-than-trumps-trade-war-with-china-131828">Read the original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, let the cat out of the bag this week when he lambasted Canberra over its decision to exclude Huawei from the build-out of Australia’s 5G network.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, let the cat out of the bag this week when he lambasted Canberra over its decision to exclude Huawei from the build-out of Australia’s 5G network. In uncharacteristically sharp diplomatic language, Cheng described Australia’s campaign against Huawei as “politically motivated” and “discriminatory”. This is not the first time Chinese officials have voiced their country’s displeasure with the Australian government’s campaign against Huawei. But Cheng’s public intervention represents the most direct criticism of Australia in what is shaping as a defining issue in relations between China and the West. A burgeoning technology war with China It is now clear America and its allies are engaged in what has the makings of a full-blown technology war. The ultimate destination of this conflict is unclear, but its ramifications will scar international relationships for decades to come. The rawness of this issue is likely to become more pronounced as China spreads its superfast 5G technology across the globe in competition with the more expensive Nokia and Ericsson systems. Huawei technology accounts for about 30% of the world’s mobile technology market, double the reach of its nearest rivals. America and its allies fear Huawei’s penetration – indeed dominance – of the market for 5G will give the Chinese company, and China itself, a “backdoor” into communications systems globally. The battle over Huawei is merely the most visible manifestation of the conflict between the US, the longtime leader in technology, and China, the emerging technology superpower. China’s advances in areas like artificial intelligence are already turning assumptions about American technological superiority upside down. What is in peril is a global communications system in which various players find ways to integrate their technologies. A technology wrangle involving combatants in a fight for dominance in a data-hungry world is giving new meaning to the word “disruption”. China’s displeasure with Australia’s role Behind the scenes, China has made no secret of its angst over Australia’s role as what it perceives to be a stalking horse for Washington in a campaign against Huawei and, by extension, other Chinese technology companies. A lobbying campaign conducted in 2018 by Andrew Shearer, then deputy head of the Office of National Intelligence, particularly incensed Beijing. He had sought to persuade the UK to exclude Huawei from its 5G build-out. In 2018, Australia became the first country to bar Huawei from providing 5G technology. Shearer is now cabinet secretary and close to Prime Minister Scott Morrison. No Australian prime minister has visited Beijing since Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. Cool relations between Canberra and Beijing can be attributed in great part to these behind-the-scenes lobbying activities against Huawei by a member of the so-called “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing establishment (in partnership with the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand). The UK’s decision, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump, to enable Huawei to help build non-core elements of its 5G network is causing a crisis of confidence among “Five Eyes” participants. How to deal with China in a new era in which American technological dominance is eroding fast lies at the centre of this argument. Fallout in Australia from internal “Five Eyes” wrangling over the Chinese company emerged in the past week or so. It was revealed Anthony Byrne, the deputy chair of the Australian Parliament’s intelligence committee, had upbraided visiting British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over the UK’s decision to allow Huawei to help build its 5G network. That confrontation was leaked to the media and caused the cancellation of a visit to the UK by leaders of the intelligence committee. Committee chair Andrew Hastie and Byrne will now travel to Washington instead of for consultations on the Huawei issue. In some respects, these arguments among friends and allies might be regarded as a storm in a teacup since Australian parliamentary committees are relatively powerless. However, it is not overstating the case to say differences among the “Five Eyes” on the Huawei issue pose a threat to a long-standing Western consensus about how to manage relations with China more generally. Fighting words from the US These cracks were visible at the just-concluded Munich security conference. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper warned that alliances, including the future of NATO itself, were in jeopardy if European countries went ahead with using Huawei technology in their 5G networks. In an unusually sharp and direct criticism of China, Esper described Huawei as the “China poster child for its nefarious industrial strategy”, one that is “fuelled by theft and coercion and the exploitation of free-market, private companies and universities”. He added: "Reliance on Chinese 5G vendors could render our partners’ critical systems vulnerable to disruption, manipulations and espionage. The Chinese Communist Party is heading even faster and further in the wrong direction with more internal repression, more predatory behaviour, more heavy-handedness and a more aggressive military posture. It is essential that the international community wake up to the challenge." These are fighting words, but it is at least questionable whether Washington, with the assistance of allies like Australia, will prevail in its efforts to shut Huawei and other Chinese technology companies out of the biggest and most lucrative market of the 21st century – advanced technology. If there was a consensus among the participants in Munich, it was that Western countries needed to tread warily in absorbing Chinese technology into their communications systems to the point where dependence on China would become irreversible. A smattering of officials, including Fu Ying, former ambassador to Britain and Australia, represented Beijing at the conference. She posed a rhetorical question that will have resonated with some attendees: "Do you really think the democratic system is so fragile it could be threatened by this single high-tech company, Huawei?" US moves in court against Huawei Meanwhile, Washington added fuel to an already heated “technology war” by charging Huawei and two of its subsidiaries with federal racketeering and conspiracy to steal trade secrets from US companies. This represents a significant escalation in the US campaign against Huawei. Washington is accusing Huawei of purloining trade secrets, including source codes and wireless technology, from six companies. These were not named but are believed to include US technology giants Cisco and Motorola. These “racketeering” charges are separate from extradition hearings in Canada involving Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer and daughter of its founder. Washington is seeking Meng’s extradition on charges of participating in a decade-long attempt by the company to steal state secrets, obstruct a criminal investigation and evade economic sanctions against Iran. Whether it likes it or not, the Australian government finds itself attached to an American campaign against Huawei and, in turn, a slew of other Chinese companies. Leaving aside a conventional trade war between the US and China over soybeans and consumer durables, a technology conflict will prove longer-lasting and certainly more disruptive. (Tony Walker is Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why global battle over Huawei could prove more disruptive than Donald Trump’s trade war with China

Russia's foreign minister on Friday slammed US sanctions against Venezuela during a visit to Caracas, providing a public show of support for President Nicolas Maduro as Washington mulls ramping up pressure on the South American nation.

Russia's foreign minister on Friday slammed US sanctions against Venezuela during a visit to Caracas, providing a public show of support for President Nicolas Maduro as Washington mulls ramping up pressure on the South American nation. Sergei Lavrov arrived in Caracas on Thursday, only hours after the US State Department suggested its Venezuela sanctions program could begin targeting Russia, whose oil companies have helped Maduro by buying much of the OPEC nation's crude. Assistance from Russia could be decisive for Maduro to boost oil production and restore economic growth after a surprise opening of the economy last year that followed years of hyperinflation and the exodus of 5 million people. [ Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "We have agreed to deepen our economic, commercial and investment cooperation in several areas despite the illegitimate sanctions," Lavrov said alongside Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez following an afternoon meeting with Maduro. "The most promising sectors are energy, natural resources and industry," Lavrov said in comments broadcast on state television, without providing details. US President Donald Trump met at the White House this week with opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's legitimate president. Also Read: Venezuela opposition calls on US to step up pressure on Maduro ally Russia "We consider sanctions to be unacceptable," Lavrov said during an earlier televised meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, Jorge Arreaza, and other Venezuelan officials. "It is outrageous that unilateral actions by the United States affect social and humanitarian projects." Lavrov also said "unilateral" actions by Washington could interfere with humanitarian projects. He voiced support for a government-backed dialogue effort as an alternative to "uprisings and interventions." Opposition leaders have said Maduro uses dialogue proceedings as a stalling tactic. The US Special Representative to Venezuela Elliott Abrams said on Thursday that Russia's support for Maduro's government may "no longer be cost-free." On Friday, the US Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Venezuela state-run airline Conviasa, which it said was being used to "shuttle corrupt officials around the world." "The Trump administration will not allow Maduro and his proxies to continue stealing from the Venezuelan people and abusing state-owned assets to advance their own corrupt and destabilizing activities," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. It is not evident that Washington is prepared to impose sanctions on Russian oil companies due to the potential impact on crude markets.

Russia foreign minister slams US sanctions during visit to Venezuela

The United States on Friday announced fresh sanctions against Iran and its officials in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-iran-sanctions-are-already-in-effect-says-us-president-donald-trump-273262">retaliation to the attack on its military bases</a> housing US troops in Iraq.&nbsp;

The targets of the sanctions include, Iran's manufacturing, mining and textile sectors, as well as several senior Iranian officials who Washington said, were involved in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missile-strike-was-start-of-a-series-of-attacks-across-the-region-iranian-commander-273235">Wednesday's strikes</a>.

"As a result of these actions, we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at a White House briefing while standing beside the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Mnuchin also said that the measures hitting Iran's economy "will continue until the regime stops the funding of global terrorism and commits to never having nuclear weapons." &nbsp;

Among the targeted senior Iranian officials, are Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, the Iranian armed forces deputy chief of staff and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij militia, a volunteer force loyal to the regime.

The US said that these officials are working towards the disability of the region.

The US Treasury also slapped sanction on 17 Iranian metals producers and mining companies which it said generated billions of dollars in revenue.

The sanctions also included a network of three entities that are based in China and Seychelles as well as a vessel "involved in the purchase, sale, and transfer of Iranian metals products," the Treasury said in a statement.

Tensions between Washington&nbsp;and Tehran saw a dramatic escalation last week after the US killed Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone attack on its Baghdad International Airport.

Soon after the attack, Iran vowed to take "severe revenge". On Wednesday Iran <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-fires-missiles-at-us-bases-in-iraq-272811">fired ballistic missiles on US airbases in Iraq&nbsp;</a>targeting Al-Asad and Irbil.

Although the two sides seem to have stepped back from the brink of armed conflict, Trump vowed on Wednesday to impose the additional sanctions.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Friday announced fresh sanctions against Iran and its officials in retaliation to the attack on its military bases housing US troops in Iraq.

The United States on Friday announced fresh sanctions against Iran and its officials in retaliation to the attack on its military bases housing US troops in Iraq. The targets of the sanctions include, Iran's manufacturing, mining and textile sectors, as well as several senior Iranian officials who Washington said, were involved in the Wednesday's strikes. "As a result of these actions, we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at a White House briefing while standing beside the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Mnuchin also said that the measures hitting Iran's economy "will continue until the regime stops the funding of global terrorism and commits to never having nuclear weapons." Among the targeted senior Iranian officials, are Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, the Iranian armed forces deputy chief of staff and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij militia, a volunteer force loyal to the regime. The US said that these officials are working towards the disability of the region. The US Treasury also slapped sanction on 17 Iranian metals producers and mining companies which it said generated billions of dollars in revenue. The sanctions also included a network of three entities that are based in China and Seychelles as well as a vessel "involved in the purchase, sale, and transfer of Iranian metals products," the Treasury said in a statement. Tensions between Washington and Tehran saw a dramatic escalation last week after the US killed Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone attack on its Baghdad International Airport. Soon after the attack, Iran vowed to take "severe revenge". On Wednesday Iran fired ballistic missiles on US airbases in Iraq targeting Al-Asad and Irbil. Although the two sides seem to have stepped back from the brink of armed conflict, Trump vowed on Wednesday to impose the additional sanctions. (With inputs from agencies)

In retaliation to missile attacks, US imposes more sanctions on Iran

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US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday.

"The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US&nbsp;may or may not do," Zarif wrote. "And this addictive behaviour affects friends and foes alike, unless collectively pushed back."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, this week, slammed the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-slams-irrational-us-nuclear-deal-withdrawal-269506">irrational" withdrawal of the United States from the multinational nuclear deal</a> on Tehran's nuclear programme, as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

Rouhani's trip to Japan comes after deadly protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by Washington-imposed sanctions.

"I strongly condemn the US for unilaterally and irrationally withdrawing" from the deal, said Rouhani, who became the first Iranian head of state to visit Japan for two decades.

"I hope Japan and other countries will make efforts to maintain this deal."

The US re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from the international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

Friction between Tehran and Washington has increased since last year when US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy.

US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday. "The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US may or may not do," Zarif wrote.

US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday. "The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US may or may not do," Zarif wrote. "And this addictive behaviour affects friends and foes alike, unless collectively pushed back." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, this week, slammed the "irrational" withdrawal of the United States from the multinational nuclear deal on Tehran's nuclear programme, as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Rouhani's trip to Japan comes after deadly protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by Washington-imposed sanctions. "I strongly condemn the US for unilaterally and irrationally withdrawing" from the deal, said Rouhani, who became the first Iranian head of state to visit Japan for two decades. "I hope Japan and other countries will make efforts to maintain this deal." The US re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from the international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. Friction between Tehran and Washington has increased since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy.

US sanctions against Iran are a 'reckless addiction': Javad Zarif

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

"A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page.&nbsp;

"The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing."&nbsp;

Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas.

An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions".&nbsp;

"They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies.

The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC.

They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany.

US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent.

Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.&nbsp;

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies. "A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page. "The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing." Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas. An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions". "They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer. On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies. The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC. They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany. US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent. Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.

Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing: Russia slams US sanctions on European gas project

An Iraqi paramilitary leader and a politician have laughed off financial sanctions Washington recently placed on them for alleged corruption and human rights abuses.&nbsp;

"They should have given us this honour a long time ago," said Qais al-Khazali, one of the newly-sanctioned figures, in sardonic remarks to an audience of supporters on Sunday.

Khazali heads Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a pro-Iran armed faction that makes up part of the broader Hashed al-Shaabi security force tied to the Iraqi state.&nbsp;

The US Treasury on Friday accused his group of "widespread forced disappearances, abductions, killings, and torture" under the Global Magnitsky act.

The measures block financial transactions with and travel to the US for people who commit human rights abuses or corruption.

"I'm embarrassed. Designate me a terrorist! A global terrorist. What is this Treasury list?" Khazali said.

"That means the money we have in US banks will go," he added sarcastically.&nbsp;

The US also sanctioned Iraqi businessman and political figure Khamees al-Khanjar, whom it accused of bribery.

In a statement, Khanjar's party condemned the decision and said the accusations were "extremely funny and illogical."

"He was never an official, nor was his party part of the government," invalidating the corruption allegation, it said.

Khanjar is an influential Sunni powerbroker with close ties across Iraq's leading political parties.&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from two other paramilitary figures sanctioned on Friday: Laith al-Khazali, Qais's brother and also a member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Abu Zeinab al-Lami, who heads the Hashed's security apparatus.

This is the second batch of Iraqi nationals the US has sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky act.

An Iraqi paramilitary leader and a politician have laughed off financial sanctions Washington recently placed on them for alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

An Iraqi paramilitary leader and a politician have laughed off financial sanctions Washington recently placed on them for alleged corruption and human rights abuses. "They should have given us this honour a long time ago," said Qais al-Khazali, one of the newly-sanctioned figures, in sardonic remarks to an audience of supporters on Sunday. Khazali heads Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a pro-Iran armed faction that makes up part of the broader Hashed al-Shaabi security force tied to the Iraqi state. The US Treasury on Friday accused his group of "widespread forced disappearances, abductions, killings, and torture" under the Global Magnitsky act. The measures block financial transactions with and travel to the US for people who commit human rights abuses or corruption. "I'm embarrassed. Designate me a terrorist! A global terrorist. What is this Treasury list?" Khazali said. "That means the money we have in US banks will go," he added sarcastically. The US also sanctioned Iraqi businessman and political figure Khamees al-Khanjar, whom it accused of bribery. In a statement, Khanjar's party condemned the decision and said the accusations were "extremely funny and illogical." "He was never an official, nor was his party part of the government," invalidating the corruption allegation, it said. Khanjar is an influential Sunni powerbroker with close ties across Iraq's leading political parties. There was no immediate comment from two other paramilitary figures sanctioned on Friday: Laith al-Khazali, Qais's brother and also a member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Abu Zeinab al-Lami, who heads the Hashed's security apparatus. This is the second batch of Iraqi nationals the US has sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky act.

'Hilarious': Iraq leaders laugh off new US sanctions

Iran unveils a resistance budget, the budget will come into force in late March 2020.

Iran unveils a resistance budget

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday presented to parliament what he called a "budget of resistance" against crippling sanctions imposed by arch-enemy the United States.

"Next year, similar to the current year, our budget is a budget of resistance and perseverance against sanctions," Rouhani told parliament in remarks broadcast on state radio.

"This budget announces to the world that despite sanctions we will manage the country, especially in terms of oil," he added.

The budget for the financial year starting late March 2020 comes after fuel price hikes that were imposed in mid-November triggered deadly demonstrations across the Islamic republic.

In his speech, Rouhani announced a 15 per cent increase for public sector wages in a country whose economy has been battered by US sanctions.

US President Donald Trump began imposing punitive measures in May 2018, after unilaterally withdrawing from an accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for limits on its nuclear programme.

The International Monetary Fund has forecast that Iran's economy will contract by 9.5 per cent this year.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday presented to parliament what he called a "budget of resistance" against crippling sanctions imposed by arch-enemy the United States.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday presented to parliament what he called a "budget of resistance" against crippling sanctions imposed by arch-enemy the United States. "Next year, similar to the current year, our budget is a budget of resistance and perseverance against sanctions," Rouhani told parliament in remarks broadcast on state radio. "This budget announces to the world that despite sanctions we will manage the country, especially in terms of oil," he added. The budget for the financial year starting late March 2020 comes after fuel price hikes that were imposed in mid-November triggered deadly demonstrations across the Islamic republic. In his speech, Rouhani announced a 15 per cent increase for public sector wages in a country whose economy has been battered by US sanctions. US President Donald Trump began imposing punitive measures in May 2018, after unilaterally withdrawing from an accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for limits on its nuclear programme. The International Monetary Fund has forecast that Iran's economy will contract by 9.5 per cent this year.

Iran unveils budget of 'resistance' against US sanctions

European powers demanded at talks on Friday that Iran stop violating their nuclear deal, but stopped short of triggering a mechanism that could renew U.N. sanctions and kill the 2015 accord, officials said.

European powers demanded at talks on Friday that Iran stop violating their nuclear deal, but stopped short of triggering a mechanism that could renew U.N. sanctions and kill the 2015 accord, officials said. The meeting came amid heightened friction between Iran and the West. Tehran has rolled back its commitments under the 2015 deal in response to Washington's withdrawal last year and reimposition of sanctions that have crippled its economy. With Tehran angry over a lack of European protection from US sanctions, there appears scant scope for compromise. The Europeans and Iran clashed on Thursday over the Iranian ballistic missile programme before senior diplomats from the remaining parties to the deal - Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia - met Iranian officials in Vienna on Friday to assess the state of the nuclear agreement. As the U.S.-Iran confrontation has eroded the accord, the Europeans are torn between trying to save it and responding to Iran's breaches, which have increasingly tested their patience. The breaches have included exceeding the maximum amount of enriched uranium it is allowed under the deal and resuming enrichment at Fordow, a plant buried inside a mountain that Iran hid from U.N. nuclear non-proliferation inspectors until Western spies exposed it in 2009. The European "E3" powers - France, Britain and Germany - have been considering triggering a mechanism in the deal that could lead to reimposition of global, United Nations sanctions. "All countries need to refrain from taking actions that further complicates the situation," Fu Cong, director general of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told reporters after the talks. "In our view there is an element of automaticity into this and we can't be sure that countries can keep this process under control. It could aggravate tensions," he said, adding that the European powers had not indicated whether or when they would trigger the mechanism. 'Still alive' A European diplomat said the E3 had stressed the need for Iran's compliance. "The good thing is it's still alive," the diplomat said, highlighting the low expectations. Iran's top envoy to the talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said that Iran would continue reducing its commitments to the deal unless it could benefit from it. "We repeated in this meeting too that until the time solutions are found so that Iran can benefit from (the nuclear deal), Iran's process of reducing commitments will continue," Araqchi said, according to the official IRNA news agency. Araqchi said that he had a "very useful" meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday and that both sides emphasized they would continue their professional cooperation in comments broadcast on state TV. Diplomats have said a political decision was unlikely to be made until January, when Iran is expected to further scale back its adherence to the pact, under which it curtailed its nuclear activities in return for relief from sanctions. "The European parties to the deal should know that the clock is ticking for them. They try to keep Iran in the deal but then take no action against America's bullying and pressure," said a senior Iranian official. Underlining the tension, the Iranian delegation had earlier threatened to boycott the talks after discovering that an exiled Iranian opposition group planned an anti-government protest outside the hotel where the meeting was due to take place. Tehran has criticised the three European powers for failing to shield Iran from the far-reaching U.S. sanctions, which have driven away foreign companies interested in business there. "I don't think the Europeans have reached their red line yet, but the repeated violations and the fact we're now entering (nuclear) proliferation territory means their credibility is on the line," said a Western diplomat.

Iran deal limps on as Europeans delay sanctions blow

European powers will demand Iran stop violating their nuclear deal or potentially face renewed U.N sanctions, but with Tehran locked in conflict over US sanctions, there appears to be little scope for compromise when they meet on Friday.

European powers will demand Iran stop violating their nuclear deal or potentially face renewed U.N sanctions, but with Tehran locked in conflict over US sanctions, there appears to be little scope for compromise when they meet on Friday. The meeting comes amid heightened friction between Iran and the West. Tehran has rolled back its commitments under the 2015 deal in response to Washington's pullout from it last year and reimposition of sanctions that have crippled its economy. The Europeans and Tehran on Thursday clashed over Iran's ballistic missile programme before senior diplomats from the remaining parties to the deal, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, meet with Iranian officials in Vienna on Friday. As the accord has slowly eroded, the Europeans have been torn between trying to save it and responding to Iran's breaches, which have increasingly tested their patience. Iran's violations have included exceeding the maximum amount of enriched uranium it is allowed under the deal and resuming enrichment at Fordow, a site buried inside a mountain that Iran hid from U.N. nuclear inspectors. "I think the window for a negotiation and to save the deal is barely open," said a European diplomat. The Europeans are considering triggering a mechanism in the deal that could lead to the reimposition of U.N. sanctions. Three diplomats said the political decision was unlikely to be made until January, when Iran is expected to reduce further its commitments to the pact, under which it curtailed its nuclear activities in return for relief from sanctions. "The European parties to the deal should know that the clock is ticking for them. They try to keep Iran in the deal but then take no action against America's bullying and pressure," said a senior Iranian official. Tehran has repeatedly criticised the three European powers for failing to shield Iran's economy from the far-reaching U.S. sanctions, which have driven away foreign companies interested in doing business there. Highlighting the widening gap between the two sides, Iran's foreign minister on Thursday said the three had shown their "miserable incompetence" in fulfilling their commitments. He was responding after they sent a letter to the U.N. Security Council accusing Tehran of having nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. "I don't think the Europeans have reached their red line yet, but the repeated violations and the fact we're now entering proliferation territory means their credibility is on the line," said a Western diplomat. Two diplomats said the Europeans hoped to announce soon the first transaction of a mechanism for barter trade called Inset that would net out amounts at either end for humanitarian goods. But even European diplomats acknowledge the mechanism is symbolic rather than a deal-saving device.

Europeans, Iran to cross swords at nuclear talks amid heightened tensions

Saudi efforts to negotiate an end to the Yemen war in a bid to open a dialogue with Iran could call into question continued Gulf support for US President Donald J. Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic republic.

Saudi officials hope that talks mediated by Oman and Britain between the kingdom and Houthi rebels will lead to a revival of stalled talks between the Yemeni insurgents and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has tasked his younger brother and Saudi deputy defense minister, Khalid bin Salman, with engineering an end to the Yemeni war as part of a broader revamp of Saudi foreign policy.

The revamp involves a return to a more cautious foreign and defense policy that embraces multilateralism after several years in which the kingdom adopted an assertive and robust go-it alone approach that produced several fiascos, including the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen 4.5 years ago.

The revamp was prompted by attacks in September on two of the kingdom’s key oil facilities as well as doubts about the reliability of the US defense commitment to the Gulf.

The kingdom’s return to a more cautious approach is also intended to allow Saudi Arabia to project itself in 2020 as president of the Group of 20 (G20) and repair its image tarnished by the Yemen War, the killing last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and a domestic crackdown on dissent. The G20 groups the world’s twenty largest economies.

Mr. Trump’s response to the September drone and missile attacks for which the Houthis claimed responsibility was the latest, and in some ways clearest indication, that Gulf states may not be able to count on the United States in times of crisis even though the Trump administration insisted that Iran rather than the rebels was to blame for the incident.

“That was an attack on Saudi Arabia, and that wasn’t an attack on us. But we would certainly help them. If we decide to do something, they’ll be very much involved, and that includes payment. And they understand that fully,” Mr. Trump said at the time, adopting a transactional attitude towards Gulf security.

A US official involved in Gulf policy said more recently that “the attacks made the Saudis and other Gulf states realize that escalation of US-Iranian tensions would make them targets in an environment in which the United States may not wholeheartedly come to their rescue.”

Another US official suggested that the Saudis’ “prime objective now is to lessen their involvement in Yemen, to get the Houthis to stop being some version of a proxy, so they (the Saudis) can deal directly with Iran.”

United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council this week that the number of air attacks by the Saudi-led coalition had dropped by nearly 80 percent in the last two weeks.

“We call this de-escalation, a reduction in the tempo of the war, and perhaps a move towards an overall ceasefire in Yemen," Mr. Griffiths said. He held out the hope that a negotiated end to the war could be achieved early next year.

Saudi efforts to end the war as well as gestures towards Iran in recent months by the United Arab Emirates did not stop senior Saudi and UAE officials from adopting a hard line at this week’s Manama Dialogue.

“Appeasement simply cannot work with Iran. We hold Iran responsible for the attack on Abqaiq. We do not want war, but Iran needs to be held accountable. The question is whether Iran can abandon its ambition to propagate the revolution and respect sovereignty,” Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir told the Bahrain gathering. By mentioning Abqaiq, Mr. Al-Jubeir was referring to one of the two Saudi oil facilities targeted in September.

Mr. Al-Jubeir’s UAE counterpart, Anwar Gargash, added: “Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union, Iran today: revisionist states threaten international order. The key to stability is deterrence, and steadfast resolve by the international community that Iran must change. If not, sanctions must be increased, not loosened.”

The US Treasury, expanding harsh sanctions that aim to force Iran to re-negotiate on American terms the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program, sanctioned this week Iranian communications minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi for blocking access to the Internet as part of a bid to squash anti-government protests.

The blockage made it difficult for protesters to post videos on social media, generate support for their rejection of recent fuel price hikes, and obtain reliable reports on the extent of the unrest. Amnesty International said more than 100 protesters had so far been killed by security forces.

Mr. Al-Jubeir and Mr. Gargash’s tough remarks notwithstanding, winds in the Gulf appear to be blowing in the direction of reduced tension on all fronts, including the 2.5-year old Saudi-UAE-led boycott of Qatar.

Inevitably, reducing tension will only prove sustainable if US-Iranian friction is dialled back.

Sustainability moreover will depend on some sort of regional understanding on non-aggression that would involve Iran and create the basis for a more multilateral security architecture that would embed rather than replace the regional US defence umbrella.

Bahraini foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa appeared to anticipate a more multilateral approach in his remarks at the Manama Dialogue. Rejecting an Iranian call for a security architecture that would exclusively involve regional states, Mr. Al Khalifa asserted that “Iran's regional security proposals are fundamentally flawed, especially because they do not include external powers.”

A series of Saudi and UAE gestures in recent months, beyond the Saudi-Houthi talks, signal moves towards reducing tensions not only on the Yemeni but also the Iranian and Qatari fronts.

In the latest indication, Khaled Al Jarallah, deputy foreign minister of Kuwait, the official mediator in the dispute with Qatar, said a decision this month by the Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini national soccer teams to compete in the Gulf Cup in Qatar, despite their boycott of the Gulf state, “provides a clear indication that a breakthrough has taken place.”

Similarly, a Saudi official, in a rare gesture, told reporters in Washington earlier this month that Qatar had taken a step towards resolving the crisis by passing an anti-terrorism funding law, a key demand of the boycotting countries.

Besides withdrawing forces from Yemen, the UAE refrained from blaming Iran for the attacks on the Saudi installations and earlier explosions on vessels off the Emirati coast and sent officials to Iran to discuss maritime security.

Saudi and UAE support for the US’ maximum pressure campaign is certain to weaken if Gulf efforts to reduce tensions progress, particularly with regards to Iran. A peace process in Yemen and a Gulf dialogue with Iran would be significant steps in that direction.

Dr. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, an adjunct senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

Saudi efforts to negotiate an end to the Yemen war in a bid to open a dialogue with Iran could call into question continued Gulf support for US President Donald J.

Saudi efforts to negotiate an end to the Yemen war in a bid to open a dialogue with Iran could call into question continued Gulf support for US President Donald J. Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic republic. Saudi officials hope that talks mediated by Oman and Britain between the kingdom and Houthi rebels will lead to a revival of stalled talks between the Yemeni insurgents and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has tasked his younger brother and Saudi deputy defense minister, Khalid bin Salman, with engineering an end to the Yemeni war as part of a broader revamp of Saudi foreign policy. The revamp involves a return to a more cautious foreign and defense policy that embraces multilateralism after several years in which the kingdom adopted an assertive and robust go-it alone approach that produced several fiascos, including the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen 4.5 years ago. The revamp was prompted by attacks in September on two of the kingdom’s key oil facilities as well as doubts about the reliability of the US defense commitment to the Gulf. The kingdom’s return to a more cautious approach is also intended to allow Saudi Arabia to project itself in 2020 as president of the Group of 20 (G20) and repair its image tarnished by the Yemen War, the killing last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and a domestic crackdown on dissent. The G20 groups the world’s twenty largest economies. Mr. Trump’s response to the September drone and missile attacks for which the Houthis claimed responsibility was the latest, and in some ways clearest indication, that Gulf states may not be able to count on the United States in times of crisis even though the Trump administration insisted that Iran rather than the rebels was to blame for the incident. “That was an attack on Saudi Arabia, and that wasn’t an attack on us. But we would certainly help them. If we decide to do something, they’ll be very much involved, and that includes payment. And they understand that fully,” Mr. Trump said at the time, adopting a transactional attitude towards Gulf security. A US official involved in Gulf policy said more recently that “the attacks made the Saudis and other Gulf states realize that escalation of US-Iranian tensions would make them targets in an environment in which the United States may not wholeheartedly come to their rescue.” Another US official suggested that the Saudis’ “prime objective now is to lessen their involvement in Yemen, to get the Houthis to stop being some version of a proxy, so they (the Saudis) can deal directly with Iran.” United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council this week that the number of air attacks by the Saudi-led coalition had dropped by nearly 80 percent in the last two weeks. “We call this de-escalation, a reduction in the tempo of the war, and perhaps a move towards an overall ceasefire in Yemen," Mr. Griffiths said. He held out the hope that a negotiated end to the war could be achieved early next year. Saudi efforts to end the war as well as gestures towards Iran in recent months by the United Arab Emirates did not stop senior Saudi and UAE officials from adopting a hard line at this week’s Manama Dialogue. “Appeasement simply cannot work with Iran. We hold Iran responsible for the attack on Abqaiq. We do not want war, but Iran needs to be held accountable. The question is whether Iran can abandon its ambition to propagate the revolution and respect sovereignty,” Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir told the Bahrain gathering. By mentioning Abqaiq, Mr. Al-Jubeir was referring to one of the two Saudi oil facilities targeted in September. Mr. Al-Jubeir’s UAE counterpart, Anwar Gargash, added: “Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union, Iran today: revisionist states threaten international order. The key to stability is deterrence, and steadfast resolve by the international community that Iran must change. If not, sanctions must be increased, not loosened.” The US Treasury, expanding harsh sanctions that aim to force Iran to re-negotiate on American terms the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program, sanctioned this week Iranian communications minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi for blocking access to the Internet as part of a bid to squash anti-government protests. The blockage made it difficult for protesters to post videos on social media, generate support for their rejection of recent fuel price hikes, and obtain reliable reports on the extent of the unrest. Amnesty International said more than 100 protesters had so far been killed by security forces. Mr. Al-Jubeir and Mr. Gargash’s tough remarks notwithstanding, winds in the Gulf appear to be blowing in the direction of reduced tension on all fronts, including the 2.5-year old Saudi-UAE-led boycott of Qatar. Inevitably, reducing tension will only prove sustainable if US-Iranian friction is dialled back. Sustainability moreover will depend on some sort of regional understanding on non-aggression that would involve Iran and create the basis for a more multilateral security architecture that would embed rather than replace the regional US defence umbrella. Bahraini foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa appeared to anticipate a more multilateral approach in his remarks at the Manama Dialogue. Rejecting an Iranian call for a security architecture that would exclusively involve regional states, Mr. Al Khalifa asserted that “Iran's regional security proposals are fundamentally flawed, especially because they do not include external powers.” A series of Saudi and UAE gestures in recent months, beyond the Saudi-Houthi talks, signal moves towards reducing tensions not only on the Yemeni but also the Iranian and Qatari fronts. In the latest indication, Khaled Al Jarallah, deputy foreign minister of Kuwait, the official mediator in the dispute with Qatar, said a decision this month by the Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini national soccer teams to compete in the Gulf Cup in Qatar, despite their boycott of the Gulf state, “provides a clear indication that a breakthrough has taken place.” Similarly, a Saudi official, in a rare gesture, told reporters in Washington earlier this month that Qatar had taken a step towards resolving the crisis by passing an anti-terrorism funding law, a key demand of the boycotting countries. Besides withdrawing forces from Yemen, the UAE refrained from blaming Iran for the attacks on the Saudi installations and earlier explosions on vessels off the Emirati coast and sent officials to Iran to discuss maritime security. Saudi and UAE support for the US’ maximum pressure campaign is certain to weaken if Gulf efforts to reduce tensions progress, particularly with regards to Iran. A peace process in Yemen and a Gulf dialogue with Iran would be significant steps in that direction. Dr. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, an adjunct senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Mending Gulf fences could weaken support for US sanctions against Iran

The Canadian attorney general has filed affidavits asserting that information identifying Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou's electronic devices was not shared with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during her December 2018 arrest in Vancouver, court documents showed on Thursday.

Meng, 47, is charged in the United States with bank fraud and she is accused of misleading HSBC Holdings PLC&nbsp;about Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's business in Iran, which is under US sanctions. Meng has said she is innocent and is fighting extradition.

In early October Meng and her lawyers asserted that members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had illegally shared sensitive identifying information about her electronic devices with the FBI.

"The applicant's allegation that the information was shared by the RCMP with the FBI is unfounded," lawyers for Canada's attorney general said in court documents released to media on Thursday.

Huawei was not available for immediate comment.

Canada's attorney general filed eight affidavits this month stating that members of the FBI and RCMP were discussing what information would be necessary in the case of a mutual legal assistance treaty request is made by the United States, which is made by one country to another when requiring the exchange of information to enforce laws.

The RCMP did not share the information, the affidavits written by past and present members of the police force stated.

The lawyers for Canada's attorney general added in their letter that the information being gathered but not shared showed a "good faith attempt" by the RCMP "to ensure that any sharing would be done in accordance with the law."

Meng and her lawyers returned to a British Columbia court this month, requesting additional documents pertaining to Meng's arrest at the Vancouver International Airport at the request of the United States on Dec. 1, 2018.

Meng's argument is part of a broader strategy to prove that her arrest was illegal and violated her rights according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

If Canadian officials abused their authority, her lawyers say, the extradition proceedings should be halted. The official extradition trial will begin in January 2020.

"In any event, the allegations could not result in the most drastic of remedies, a stay of proceedings," the lawyers for the Canadian attorney general said.

The Canadian attorney general has filed affidavits asserting that information identifying Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou's electronic devices was not shared with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during her December 2018 arrest in Vancouver, court documents showed on Thursday.

The Canadian attorney general has filed affidavits asserting that information identifying Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou's electronic devices was not shared with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during her December 2018 arrest in Vancouver, court documents showed on Thursday. Meng, 47, is charged in the United States with bank fraud and she is accused of misleading HSBC Holdings PLC about Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's business in Iran, which is under US sanctions. Meng has said she is innocent and is fighting extradition. In early October Meng and her lawyers asserted that members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had illegally shared sensitive identifying information about her electronic devices with the FBI. "The applicant's allegation that the information was shared by the RCMP with the FBI is unfounded," lawyers for Canada's attorney general said in court documents released to media on Thursday. Huawei was not available for immediate comment. Canada's attorney general filed eight affidavits this month stating that members of the FBI and RCMP were discussing what information would be necessary in the case of a mutual legal assistance treaty request is made by the United States, which is made by one country to another when requiring the exchange of information to enforce laws. The RCMP did not share the information, the affidavits written by past and present members of the police force stated. The lawyers for Canada's attorney general added in their letter that the information being gathered but not shared showed a "good faith attempt" by the RCMP "to ensure that any sharing would be done in accordance with the law." Meng and her lawyers returned to a British Columbia court this month, requesting additional documents pertaining to Meng's arrest at the Vancouver International Airport at the request of the United States on Dec. 1, 2018. Meng's argument is part of a broader strategy to prove that her arrest was illegal and violated her rights according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If Canadian officials abused their authority, her lawyers say, the extradition proceedings should be halted. The official extradition trial will begin in January 2020. "In any event, the allegations could not result in the most drastic of remedies, a stay of proceedings," the lawyers for the Canadian attorney general said.

Canada denies sharing Huawei CFO Meng's devices details with FBI: Report

India wants to comply with global sanctions, including US&nbsp;sanctions on Venezuela and Russia, but also needs to maintain its own strength and strategic interests, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview on Tuesday.

The United States in January imposed the toughest sanctions yet on Venezuela's oil industry. The move has scared away some global customers, but with few alternative suppliers of heavy oil, Indian refiner Reliance Industries Ltd has been buying Venezuelan crude from Russian major Rosneft. The company is set to resume direct oil loadings in the South American nation after a four-month pause.

Sitharaman said the government has expressed its view to the United States.

"In specific issues which are critical for India's strategic interests, we have explained to the United States that India is a strategic partner for the United States of America and you want a strategic partner to be strong and not weakened," she said.

"We value the strong partnership with the USA, but we should equally be allowed to be a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-committed-to-provide-eco-friendly-energy-security-to-india-nirmala-sitharaman-255784">strong economy</a>."

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-economy-at-its-weakest-pace-since-global-financial-crisis-international-monetary-fund-256126">International Monetary Fund</a> earlier on Tuesday lowered its outlook for Indian growth in 2019, citing weaker-than-expected domestic demand. The US-China trade war will cut 2019 global growth to its slowest pace since the 2008/09 financial crisis, the IMF said.

India's gross domestic product grew at its weakest pace since 2013 between April and June, stoking expectations of further stimulus.

"Global headwinds ... are getting stronger by the day," Sitharaman said. Asked about further fiscal stimulus, she said,&nbsp;"I have not closed the door" on that.

New Delhi has been trying to boost domestic growth through an infrastructure package and a new loan programme organised with the banking sector that has doled out loans worth over 80,000 crore (8.7 billion pounds), she said.

The finance minister defended the government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August.

The removal of the constitutional article that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir will boost the region and the country's economic potential, she said. 
&nbsp;

India wants to comply with global sanctions, including US sanctions on Venezuela and Russia, but also needs to maintain its own strength and strategic interests, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview on Tuesday.

India wants to comply with global sanctions, including US sanctions on Venezuela and Russia, but also needs to maintain its own strength and strategic interests, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview on Tuesday. The United States in January imposed the toughest sanctions yet on Venezuela's oil industry. The move has scared away some global customers, but with few alternative suppliers of heavy oil, Indian refiner Reliance Industries Ltd has been buying Venezuelan crude from Russian major Rosneft. The company is set to resume direct oil loadings in the South American nation after a four-month pause. Sitharaman said the government has expressed its view to the United States. "In specific issues which are critical for India's strategic interests, we have explained to the United States that India is a strategic partner for the United States of America and you want a strategic partner to be strong and not weakened," she said. "We value the strong partnership with the USA, but we should equally be allowed to be a strong economy." The International Monetary Fund earlier on Tuesday lowered its outlook for Indian growth in 2019, citing weaker-than-expected domestic demand. The US-China trade war will cut 2019 global growth to its slowest pace since the 2008/09 financial crisis, the IMF said. India's gross domestic product grew at its weakest pace since 2013 between April and June, stoking expectations of further stimulus. "Global headwinds ... are getting stronger by the day," Sitharaman said. Asked about further fiscal stimulus, she said, "I have not closed the door" on that. New Delhi has been trying to boost domestic growth through an infrastructure package and a new loan programme organised with the banking sector that has doled out loans worth over 80,000 crore (8.7 billion pounds), she said. The finance minister defended the government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August. The removal of the constitutional article that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir will boost the region and the country's economic potential, she said.

India cannot sacrifice economic strength to comply with US sanctions: Sitharaman

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