sanctions

UK Eases Sanctions on Syria, Lifts Restrictions on 24 Entities

The UK government lifted sanctions imposed during the rule of the former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad against 24 entities, including Syria's Central Bank, a statement said. The UK government said last month it planned to ease sanctions after the new Syrian government sought to persuade Western capitals that the rebels that toppled Assad after 14 ...

US Slaps Sanctions on Iranian National Oil Company Chief over Oil Shipments

The United States on Monday announced sanctions against more than 30 Iran-linked people and vessels, including the head of the national oil company, for brokering the sale and shipment of Iranian oil. "Iran continues to rely on a shadowy network of vessels, shippers, and brokers to facilitate its oil sales and fund its destabilizing activities," ...

Australian Government Imposes Sanctions on Hezbollah's Chief

The Australian Government imposed sanctions on Monday targeting Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem. Naim Qassem is part of a group of entities sanctioned by Australia in its “the fight against terrorist financing and ongoing work to combat anti-Semitism and ensure the safety of Australians,” reads a statement published by the ...

Syria Sanctions: EU's 'Carrot and Stick' Policy

The 27-member European Union agreed on Monday on a "roadmap" to gradually ease sanctions on key sectors of the Syrian economy that were imposed under the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. However, the EU has ruled out any unconditional lifting of these measures. The process will be gradual and subject to strict conditions. In other words, the bloc ...

US and UK Unveil Widespread Sanctions Against Russia's Energy Sector

The United States and Britain on Friday announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including oil giant Gazprom Neft, just days before outgoing President Joe Biden leaves office. The US Treasury Department said it was designating more than 180 ships and Russian oil majors Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, fulfilling "the G7 ...

The Caesar Act: A Long And Winding Road

For over thirteen years, Syria has been at the heart of one of the bloodiest civil wars of the past half-century. While the fighting has subsided with the fall of Bashar al-Assad – overthrown on December 8, 2024, by a coalition of rebels led by the group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – the country remains mired in an unprecedented economic and ...

US Sanctions Top Hungary Minister Over 'Corruption'

The United States announced sanctions against the head of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in corruption. Antal Rogan, a minister who oversees the country's intelligence services and government communication, has "orchestrated schemes designed to control several strategic sectors ...

US Accuses Sudan's RSF of Committing 'Genocide', Sanctions Leader

The United States determined on Tuesday that members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had "committed genocide" and imposed sanctions on the paramilitary group's leader. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the determination was based on information about the RSF's "systematic" murder of men and boys and the targeted rape of women and girls ...

US Temporarily Eases Some Syria Sanctions

The United States announced Monday that it was providing additional sanctions relief on some activities in Syria for the next six months to ease access to basic services following the fall of strongman Bashar al-Assad. The US Treasury said it had issued a new general license to expand the allowed activities and transactions with Syria while ...

Syrian Ministers Urge Lifting of US Sanctions in First Visit to Doha

Ministers from Syria's transitional government urged the United States to lift its sanctions on Damascus during their first visit to Qatar since overthrowing president Bashar al-Assad. In a statement, Qatar's foreign ministry said the Gulf country's premier met with Syria's interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, defense minister Murhaf Abu ...

Qatar Says Sanctions on Syria Must Be Lifted Quickly

Qatar called on Tuesday for the quick removal of sanctions on Syria following the ousting of president Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels. "We call for intensified efforts to expedite the lifting of international sanctions on Syria," foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told a regular briefing. Qatar's call came a day after a ...

New U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Oil

The United States has intensified sanctions against a growing number of oil tankers and companies accused of being involved in the trade of Iranian oil, Bloomberg reported,. Nine ships and eight companies have been added to the sanctions list, according to a government statement released on Thursday. Among the vessels targeted is the MS Enola, ...