“Removing companies from the sanction list even before the implementation day sends a clear message that Iran is open for business even though Iran has not delivered its nuclear promises yet. It sends a strong signal that the regime of sanctions is dead and doing business with Iran has the blessing of the United States.” Yes.
“U.S. Grants Reprieve to Firm Aiding Iran in Evading U.S. Sanctions,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, November 23, 2015 4:25 pm
An Italian company penalized for aiding Iran in evading U.S. sanctions has been de-listed by the Obama administration, prompting criticism from experts who believe the United States is caving to the Islamic Republic’s demands before it upholds its end of the recent nuclear deal, according to information provided by the Treasury and State Departments.
The Obama administration announced the removal of sanctions on Dettin Spa on Nov. 19.
The announcement came as President Hassan Rouhani was scheduled to visit Italy over the weekend. The trip was canceled following terrorist attacks in France.
Dettin Spa, a textile and chemical company that still has a presence in Iran, was sanctioned by the United States in August 2014 for “knowingly providing Iran’s petrochemical industry with goods and support whose value exceeded $250,000,” according to a statement issued by the Treasury Department at the time.
“Individuals and companies providing support to illicit Iranian nuclear activities program or engaged in assisting Iran’s efforts to evade U.S. sanctions will face serious consequences,” the Obama administration warned when it announced the company’s designation as a result of the sanctions-busting scheme.
Iran has faced renewed scrutiny over its failure to uphold the nuclear deal following charges that it had stopped dismantling nuclear centrifuges at some of its key enrichment sites.
The United States first designated Dettin Spa during a period of negotiations with Tehran over the nuclear deal. The administration sanctioned the company for helping Iran expand its petrochemical industry beyond what was permissible under an interim agreement struck by Iran and world powers.
The company was de-listed from the sanctions rolls last week, along with many other companies sanctioned for doing business with Cuba.
The United States sanctioned Iran’s petrochemical industry along with other industries related to the country’s lucrative shipping sector. The sanctions were aimed at curbing Iran’s revenue.
Experts questioned the timing of the de-listing.
“What raises questions about the de-listing decision is its timing,” said Saeed Ghasseminejad, an Iranian dissident and expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “The de-listings are supposed to happen on the implementation day, it is not clear why this company is removed from the sanction list at this time.”
When asked to address the matter, a Treasury Department spokesman deferred to the State Department, which said that it has determined Dettin Spa is no longer in violation of applicable sanctions laws.
The company was removed from the U.S. sanctions list after it protested its continued inclusion, according to a State Department official who spoke to the Free Beacon on background. This included “extensive and ongoing consultations” with the United States by the firm’s lawyers.
“The secretary of state has reviewed an application by Dettin, an Italian company, and has approved the removal of sanctions on the basis that the company is no longer engaging in the activities that were the basis for imposing sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) of 1996,” the official said.
The State Department says this move is not related to the implementation of the nuclear accord but rather a “routine step.”
“This action is not related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” the source said. “Rather, this is a routine step taken in response to a petition by the company. We would refer you to the company for further information.”
Ghasseminejad criticized the move, which he views as an undeserved perk for Tehran.
“Removing companies from the sanction list even before the implementation day sends a clear message that Iran is open for business even though Iran has not delivered its nuclear promises yet,” Ghasseminejad said. “It sends a strong signal that the regime of sanctions is dead and doing business with Iran has the blessing of the United States.”…

gravenimage says
U.S. grants reprieve to firm aiding Iran in evading U.S. sanctions
………………………..
Well, why not? Let’s grant reprieves to all aiding murderous Jihadists! What could go wrong? sarc/off
Don McKellar says
I thought there was supposed to be no fun in Islam according to the original Ayatollah — but every time I see a picture of this bastard he’s laughing his ass off.
Doug says
That’s what they are all like in the home.
? says
The US is like a babysitter with zero control and authority: “no Iran, you’re supposed to do this, no put that down, behave! Iran stop teasing your siblings…”. And so on and so forth…
mortimer says
Iran…the Shi’ite home of Taqiyya.
Question: How do you know a Shi’ite is lying? Hard to say…they practice lying without MOVING THEIR LIPS!
To become an ayatollah, you must do POST-DOCTORAL study in TAQIYYA and demonstrate the believability of your techniques.
Americans have even reached the kindergarten level in TAQIYYA! DUPES!
Linde Barrera says
This guy cancelled his trip to Italy due to the terror attacks in France. I find it hysterical yet interesting that the top guy in Iran who somehow is probably involved in his country’s terror activities, is afraid of Islamic terror activities performed by other Islamists in other countries!
Beagle says
IS practices Sunni jihad. So it actually makes sense for a ‘rafidah’ Shia Iranian to avoid IS cells as much as possible. A bigwig Iranian makes a juicy target for IS the same way a bigwig Wahhabi Sunni Saudi made a juicy target for the Iranian operative in DC.
Beagle says
Israel is going to need the best advanced warning system in history. We had DEW radar, but Israel does not have the luxury of D. Civil defense drills and serious bomb shelters with air scrubbers are a must. ABM development should be pushed to the limits of the technologies. Israel must maintain a robust second-strike capability including, but not limited to, SLBMS and SLCMs.
None of this prevents something like a nuclear truck bomb. Combining terror tactics with nuclear weapons is a real possibility.
Sadly though, and perhaps most importantly, don’t rely on Obama for any assistance outside material. Hopefully the next man or woman will understand Iran’s very real existential threat to not only Israel, but the “Great Satan” US.
Angemon says
The dictator strikes again, and any dissenting voices will be labeled “racists”.