Senate panel approves tougher sanctions on Iran

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel on Wednesday approved legislation to strengthen U.S. sanctions on Iran in an effort to get that country to drop its nuclear program.

The Senate Finance Committee cleared the bill to expand trade and financial sanctions 19-2, and the House of Representatives passed similar legislation last year.

Washington believes Iran harbors ambitions to build an atomic bomb, while Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes.

The measure would strengthen existing U.S. sanctions by tightening the trade ban on goods to and from Iran. For example, it would no longer allow the import of Iranian carpets, caviar, and nuts to the United States.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080618/pl_nm/iran_usa_congress_dc;_

[rpannier]

1. In other news

Russia is planning on expanding trade with Iran as is China.

OK. My story is not true as of right now. Give it a week or two and it will be.

[raystorm7]

2. So yet again, Iran gets punished for what Iran has the legal right to do. Funny how the world works.

[jeff30997]

3. It worked so well with Cuba.Gee.

Stupid.

[ohio2007]

4. How did the 19-2 vote break down along party lines?

snip
The strong sanctions we've approved today will work to deter the Iranian government from producing a nuclear weapon," said the committee's chairman, Sen. Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat who earlier this week recast the measure based on a bill from Oregon Republican Sen. Gordon Smith.


so, the sanctions will forbid carpets, caviar, and nuts.

mission accomplished.
I'm sure the California pistachio farmers are dancing with glee ;)

[AwareOne]

5. WOW! Democrats have been very busy today

kissing Bush's ass and throwing us all under the bus. Immunity for phone companies spying, $165 Billion for the war in Iraq and taking another step toward war with Iran. Nice job! It's very clear Democrats are cut from the same cloth as Republicans, both a bunch of self serving thieves.