U.S. Labels Iran Guard "Terror" Group
Part Of Broader Effort To Curtail Violence In Iraq, Afghanistan, And Middle East
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pins a medal of honor on an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander in this April 4, 2007 file photo in Tehran. The U.S. may classify the Revolutionary Guard as a "terrorist" organization. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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At the same time, it is intended to send a message to countries doing business in Iran that the United States is serious about isolating Tehran and is willing to slap sanctions on companies that continue to trade with Iran even if the United Nations is not, according to U.S. officials.
A decision in principle has been made to name at least parts of the Revolutionary Guard a "specially designated global terrorist" group under an executive order signed by President Bush in 2001 as part of larger post-Sept. 11 measures to fight extremism, the officials said.
Debate continues over whether to designate all or just part of the corps, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the determination, which must be approved by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, is not finalized.
The move will be the first such designation of a foreign government entity and would cut the designees off from the U.S. financial system and freeze assets that it, its members or subsidiaries have in U.S. jurisdictions. It would also allow the Treasury to move against firms subject to U.S. law that transact with the group.
It remains unclear when the step will be formally announced but officials said it has been weighed for months as the United States has lost patience with Iran amid charges the guard corps is supplying weapons to Shiite insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban in Afghanistan and as international efforts to shut down the Iranian nuclear program have bogged down.
The White House and State Department both refused to discuss the matter but officials acknowledged that Washington is working to punish Iran financially in a bid to force it to change objectionable behavior.
"The hope is that you make it much more difficult and raise the cost for them to engage in these kinds of activities to the extent that they recalculate whether or not they want to engage in these activities," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
The designation will mean that Rice has found that the Revolutionary Guard Corps "has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States," according to the executive order.
Iran, the country, has been designated a "state sponsor of terrorism" since 1984 by the State Department.
The impending move serves the administration's goal of ratcheting up pressure on Tehran, European and Asian companies with interests in Iran, and the U.N. Security Council, where a new sanctions resolution on the nuclear issue has languished under Chinese and Russian objections.
The news broke on the eve of a three-day Middle East trip by the State Department's third-ranking diplomat, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, who has been the point man on Iranian sanctions issues.
Burns is meeting with Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Wednesday to discuss a $30-billion, 10-year U.S. military aid package for the Jewish state and regional security issues, "including the challenge posed by Iran," the department said in a statement on Tuesday.
Israeli concerns about Iran and its nuclear program are well known and the sanctions to be imposed against the Revolutionary Guard, its subsidiaries and business partners will likely be welcomed there.
Yet, the preliminary decision to blacklist the corps comes as the United States and Iran have begun a tentative, if yet unsuccessful, engagement on Iraqi security issues.
The U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, has met twice with his Iranian counterpart in recent months for landmark talks at which the two sides agreed to continue discussions although no progress has been discerned by U.S. officials.
The Guard, which operates outside Iran's conventional army with its own air, naval and land wings, is known to have extensive business interests and investments in Iran, but the extent of its holdings outside the country is not clear.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 71 CommentsAnd just how willing are they going to be to return to discussions with this kind of stuff being put over their heads? Not that I agree with Iran, but it seems somewhat counterproductive to the US' diplomatic activities. It seems kind of two-faced to me Bush and Co. If you have evidence they're doing this stuff, put it out there, if not, shut the F up and let diplomacy try.
So Iran should shudder when they are labeled "terrorist". That would, in my opinion, booster their image amongst other "terroist groups" as they would be 'feared' by the big bad US. Such labeling is not effective as a deterrent, but is used as a tool to keep sheepies in focus of supporting the wars.
The blatant abuse of the 'terrorist organization' label is bringing this nation closer and closer to the opening of a new front on top of the current two fronts of the Stupid Peoples' War.
antiwar.com also reports that the current 15-months rotations will be continued into next summer for our troops. Soldiers! Its time to tell the brass to kiss your collective a--! Troops Home Now! The enemy is in Washington!
Troops Home Now!!
The world and the United States would be better of without the CIA, the Republicanazis and those corrupt neo-con a$$holes.
"bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb iran . . . . . "
This is Cheney propaganda trying to push the US into a war with Iran, like that is a good idea!!
Don't believe it!!!!!!
I am not saying that Iran is not giving aid to the Shiites in Iraq, they probably are, BUT they are not the fundamental problem.
Look at the news for the past several months. First Bush says Iran is getting nuclear weapons. That go no where.
Now he is trying to stir up the American people with the idea Iran is behind the violence in Iraq.
In July, it was a-Quida behind the violence. This month it is Iran.
He changes his mind depending on what he wants to propagand to the American people.
DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF THIS ***!!!!!!!!
That the Bush administrations diplomacy has been deficient (to say the least) is fair; on any number of issues with regards to relations with allies, etc.
What I want to know however is what do we have to talk about with the Iranians? What will talking to them do? They want nukes; they were offered a generous econmic package and better relations with us and the West in general; they said "shove it"; we KNOW they're actively working against our interests in Iraq and arming insurgents there - it is vital to their goals of regional hegemony and nuke weapons that we are bloodied and unsuccessful in Iraq such that we won't have to will to oppose them militarily over their nuke program in the near future, and vital to their regime's survival that a real Shiite democracy emerge next door as an example to their generally reform minded population. So they have no incentive to stop undermining our efforts or to stop facilitating the killing of our troops. What do we have to discuss with them diplomatically? Our national security interests and their regional goals are diametrically opposed; they want a middle east dominated by them and fundamentally Islamic; we cannot allow that - what is there to talk about!!?
He changes his mind depending on what he wants to propagand to the American people.
DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF THIS ***!!!!!!!!"
Are you KIDDING!? Bush's credibility is low to be sure due to ALL the missteps and spin of the last few years on Iraq; but BOTH are of COURSE involved negatively in Iraq. Al Qaeda has everything to gain by stirring up trouble in Iraq; potential safe havens in the heart of the middle east, a chance to do what they love (kill Americans), chance for a Soviet style "victory" over a superpower that will enhance their prestige and recruiting, the chance to bloody the US so we won't attack their safe havens elsewhere do to a new pacifism resulting from a defeat in Iraq.
And Iran; read my earlier postings; they have EVERY reason to be heavily involved in Iraq - as I state below, their mullahs have no desire for a real Shiite democracy next door; and especially for a victorious US battle force next foor while the central bank of terror is trying to develop nukes and supporting groups like Hezbollah!! That Iran would be involved very heavily in Iraq in fomenting instability, civil strife, and killing our troops is a no-brainer!! Their goals DEPEND on us not being aggressive again with another rogue state, being war weary, and on not having a Shiite democracy that is an ally of US on their western border.
you're either talking to the people
that blow up space shuttle
because someone told them to
or the prople that blow up space shuttles
because the just want to
or the people that blow up people
that blow up space shuttles
because someone told them to
or the people that blow up people
that blow up space shuttles
because they just want to
or you're talking to the people
that don't blow up anything:
the people that, most of the time,
dance get well feed world songs
rallied around the sick beds
drifiting the tems millions spore bloom
weed dragon trail fickle first aid
lunch farm cottage studiio trails
it's self-explanatory, the market share
with 300 different folk
on each of the 300 county
trail group front pages
each army occupys a tiny measure
and the get well feed world folk
occupy an unlimited measure
there may be a
get sick tax world group
at every trail crossing
but the trails are occupied
by the get well feed world folk
that do who they want to
THE WHOLE WORLD IS LAUGHING!
THE WHOLE WORLD IS LAUGHING!
except the families of those 3700 dead Americans and the families of those 750'000 dead iraqis....
you're either talking to the people
that blow up space shuttle
because someone told them to
or the prople that blow up space shuttles
because the just want to
or the people that blow up people
that blow up space shuttles
because someone told them to
or the people that blow up people
that blow up space shuttles
because they just want to
or you're talking to the people
that don't blow up anything:
the people that, most of the time,
dance get well feed world songs
rallied around the sick beds
drifiting the tems millions spore bloom
weed dragon trail fickle first aid
lunch farm cottage studiio trails
it's self-explanatory, the market share
with 300 different folk
on each of the 300 county
trail group front pages
each army occupys a tiny measure
and the get well feed world folk
occupy an unlimited measure
there may be a
get sick tax world group
at every trail crossing
but the trails are occupied
by the get well feed world folk
that do who they want to
(that was a joke,
i've almost never seen
a porno get sick tax world group
at a trail crossing,
who would do that?)
Number one terrorist organization in the world? The Republicon Party.
Number one terrorist organization in the world? The Republicon Party.
Number one terrorist organization in the world? The Republicon Party.
Cheney and the other deluded and insane neo-cons clearly are working overtime to try and figure out how we can attack Iran. Looks like they're running out of ideas.
China is laughing all the way to the bank.
Why should the Revolutionary Guard or the al-Quds Brigade or their leaders still have access to US banks and companies or to US-backed financial institutions? This action is overdue and nothing in this action prevents the US and Iran from talking to one another.
We talk to their foreign diplomats not to the Rev. Guard/al Quds. Who knows whether the Iranian government can even control these miltary forces that are, as the article says, separate from the national army.
GESUNDHEIT!!!!!!
THE BIG, BIG, STEP BUSH WILL MAKE IS WHEN HE
DECLARES ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST HIM IS
A TERRORIST. WHICH WILL HAPPEN AFTER HE CANCELS
THE NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION.
It doesn't make a lot of sense for Iran to destabilize a country whose current leadership it supports. Iran is ecstatic that the US is investing $1,000,000,000,000 so far to make Iraq ***** and more Iran-friendly.
But, what are we doing with Saudi-Arabia, selling them billions in weapons (along with the Israeli's). By the way 90% of the 9/11 terrorists where from Saudi Arabia as well.
Now, we are trying to drum up a war with Iran. If you were Iran and the US was supplying all your enemies with advanced weapons systems and telling you that you can't build your own weapons systems, what would your response be?
Love is hate, peace is war, your friends are your enemies. George Orwell was off by 20 years.
Otherwise he hit the nail on the head.
I am not disputing what you say; however, like with everything that the administration says - I see not enough proof for me to believe either one. It is easier to believe your analysis because I am basically distrustful of any remark or assertation that the administration makes, particularly since they change their major thesis everytime another horrendous insurgency attack occurs. Additionally, I was so against attacking Iraq and now , I find myself having to again be against an attack on another ME country because the administration is again making charges that I do not know if they are factual or just plain suiting their purposes. I lean towards disbelieving. It just seems to me that this administration fails to learn and continually does things that put our country in jeopardy, that belittle our ethics, and take away any influence, globally, that we cannot buy. I find myself desperately wishing that we had a Congress that was brave, patriotic and for America.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081507L.shtml
Now I know better. These folks aren't terrorist sympathizers at all. They are terrorists, using the internet to drum up support for their cause. They use every headline, every statistic they can to discredit those that keep us safe. Remember the enemy is techno savy.
Judge for yourself. Read what they have to say. Concentrate on one of the below, and see if there is EVER a positive comment made about ANY of our foreign policy, efforts to protect ourselves, or the administration.
mcdazz, Prinzowhales, FeelFree1, tuckerndfw, V_1618, drummer94, j-whitman.
They mask themselves as liberals, but even liberals have a more moderate point of view. Ask yourself, would you agree as strongly about the point of view as they portray ?
Note how often they are on the site. Don't they have a job? Who could afford to do this? Who would WANT to do this, other than a fanatic ?
Don't believe they "support the troops", they know this is a popular aspect of our culture since Vietnam. There see no harm in giving lip service, they don't mean it.
Notice how they make the worst possible scenario out of everything. They play upon your fears, and claim the President is doing so.
Sure, there are a few left wing folks that would be as radical as these, but judge for yourself. Don't be fooled!
I'm SICK AND TIRED of you JERKS calling anyone who does not buy into your BS, terrorists, traitors, or terrorist sympathizers! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Bush's policies don't work! Pointing that out does not make me any less patriotic!
You want to start a war with Iran next? We can't figure out how to get out of the mess we're already in! I for one, am counting the days until 1/20/09, when this sorry excuse for a presidency comes to an end, and none too soon!
If all we have is spinn...why can't you refute it with facts?
As I've asked you before, what does the FACT reported by the BBC and other MSM sources that a minimum of SEVEN OF THE FBI-NAMED HIJACKERS ARE STILL ALIVE?
There is not one bit of spin on that fact! You can't deal with it. You can't deal with similar facts. So, you create this rationalization that everyone is a terrorist who disagrees with you.
Find some grownup to think for you if you are incapable of thinking for yourself and-- ask them to help.
You make no real points. Discuss nothing relevant to anything bearing on the case at hand. Do you hate Chavez as much as Pat Robertson does? What is your position on Chavez?
At least have something to say beyond your cheesy little pseudo-Christian spiel of venemous hatred towards your brothers.
The last time you sent your web site that showed us 'facts' it was some crack-pot. Like I said then, if I were so inclined, I could create a web site to make you swear on your camels, uh, mother's grave that all 19 of the terrorists that perpetrated 9/11 were in your family.
You lie, and you are a terrorist.
You can't be a follower of the Christ... because you have no respect for truth, you bear false witness and preach hate for your brothers, imputing to them the blackness that is in your heart.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1559151.stm
But, I guess the BBC are 'lying terrorists' as well...Cowards run away from facts they are afraid to face and you, singingrick and the rest of your little hate-filled coven just won't face these facts. Might make you think...that's not good when it happens to a ditto-head...just ask Rush the drug addicted impotent hypocrite...hope, I didn't step on many of your toes with that last comment...
Be carefull with those labels, it may just come back and bite you in the rear. Does TSA mean: Terrorists Saved America?
Just because you say it, doesn't make it so.
Am I reading the same postings as you Prinzowhales ? I see nothing but truth coming from singinrick, no false witness, and no hate - only the truth. You are projecting upon singinrick your problems, terrorist.
You are full of hate.
I'm sure some j@ck@ss lib will respond to this posting by calling me a xenophobe. He/She is someone that would probably stand in the path of a twister because they thought it was neat to look at. Ahmadinejad stated yesterday that world must live under an Islamic governement. That it was the only way. Be assured, his comments are a call to arms- a call to Muslims world-wide.
I'm not going to be a F$cking muslim. My family is not going to be forced to adhere to that b*llsh!t!!!
I'm sure some j@ck@ss lib will respond to this posting by calling me a xenophobe. He/She is someone that would probably stand in the path of a twister because they thought it was neat to look at. Ahmadinejad stated yesterday that world must live under an Islamic governement. That it was the only way. Be assured, his comments are a call to arms- a call to Muslims world-wide.
I'm not going to be a F$cking muslim. My family is not going to be forced to adhere to that b*llsh!t!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle
_east/1559151.stm
You refuse to look at it? Is it a 'cross in front of a vampire' kind of thing?
Secondly, I thinking videos of people getting the heads chopped off probably did it for me. Do people getting their heads chopped off scare you or is that a problem that is too distant for you to worry about?
Did you know he was in US custody in Iraq and then, almost immediately, he is in the hands of 'al Qaeda'. Zarqawi, the master of ceremonies at this farce, was wearing jewelry...that is pretty un-Islamic...and he seemed to have sprouted a brand new leg for the video...there were English voices in the background...the guy is kneeling their while he gets that 'short haircut' without hardly moving...and the blood?--I've been soaked by geysers from femorals--whatever they cut, it wasn't the carotid of a living human being.
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