Russia Lifts Missile Ban On Iran, Starts Oil-Goods Trade

Vivian Hughbanks / Townhall Columnist

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on shipping S-300 air defense missile systems to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday morning. Moscow will also begin importing Iranian oil in exchange for other goods.

Russia cancelled a contract to ship the S-300 missile systems to Iran in 2010 under pressure from the west, but has now lifted the embargo.

“The Executive Order lifts the ban on transit of the S-300 air defense missile systems via Russian Federation territory (including by air), export from the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and transfer of the S-300 to the Islamic Republic of Iran outside the Russian Federation’s territory, using ships or aircraft flying the Russian Federation flag,” the Kremlin announced in a press release Monday.

“We don’t believe it’s constructive at this time for the Russians to move forward with this at this time,” said State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf at Monday afternoon’s press briefing.

Ultimately though, the State Department doesn’t see the lift of the sanctions as a sign of disunity between western nations over the nuclear deal agreed to earlier this month in Switzerland. Secretary of State John Kerry touted Russian cooperation in the Iran deal three times on Sunday shows April 12.

Israeli officials have denounced the lift of the ban, saying that an Iranian missile defense system would hamper strikes against any nuclear facilities which would exist under the recently negotiated nuclear deal.

“This is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran is receiving from the nuclear deal that is being prepared, and proof that the Iranian economic growth which follows the lifting of sanctions will be exploited for arming itself and not for the welfare of the Iranian people,” Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said in a statement.

Rubio Digs Hillary at Campaign Launch: "Yesterday Is Over And We're Never Going Back"

Daniel Doherty / Townhall Tipsheet

Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-FL) chips are on the table in 2016 -- and he's all in. As a result, he has publicly pledged to give up his US Senate seat (which is causing quite the stir, as it happens) in pursuit of the nation’s highest political office.

But the road to victory is not immediately clear to Rubio backers.

Rubio, after all, begins this journey with tepid national support at best and many conservatives refusing to vote for him. What he does have, however, is an abundance of charisma and an inspiring message that can, perhaps, differentiate him from the more experienced (and indeed more conservative) candidates vying for the same job.

Speaking from his hometown on Monday night, near the historic Miami Freedom Tower, Rubio touched on familiar themes: His uniquely American story; his loving and hardworking parents who escaped from Castro-controlled Cuba in 1956; his hopes and dreams for America in the 21st century; and above all, why he ultimately -- and stubbornly -- refused to sit on the sidelines and become a spectator in 2016.

“I have heard some suggest that I should step aside and wait my turn," he said. “But I cannot. Because I believe our very identity as an exceptional nation is at stake, and I can make a difference as president.”

“If we remember that the family, not the government, is the most important institution in our society. If we remember that all human life deserves protection from our laws. And if we remember that all parents deserve to choose the education of their children then we will have a strong people and a strong nation," he added.

He also attacked the current administration's misguided foreign policy -- namely, its "dangerous concessions to Iran and hostility to Israel" -- which is an issue he will emphasize and play up in the campaign ahead. The following line, however, really seemed to strike a chord with the audience – and perhaps the nation at large.

“Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday, began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to yesterday,” he said, an obvious reference to Hillary Clinton who is the Democrats' likely candidate for president in 2016. “Yesterday is over, and we’re never going back. You see, we Americans are proud of our history. But our country has always been about the future.”

“We must change the decisions we are making by changing the people who are making them,” he continued. “So that is why tonight, grounded by the lessons of our history, and inspired by the promise of our future, I announce my candidacy for president of the United States.”

Why is the FBI whitewashing the Saudi connection to 9/11?
 

By Robert Spencer / Jihad Watch

 

And on whose orders? And to what end? And why is no one in either party willing to raise a voice against this coverup? “How the FBI is whitewashing the Saudi connection to 9/11,” by Paul Sperry, New York Post, April 12, 2015: Just 15 days before the 9/11 attacks, a well-connected Saudi family suddenly […]

Read in browser »

 

Russia’s decision to sell advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Iran is the “direct result” of the Obama’s nuclear deal with Islamic Republic

Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs

There is no American historical analogy we can make with Obama, except perhaps General Sherman, if he was destroying everything in his wake for the Confederacy and not the Union — because that is what Obama is doing.

He is destroying the advancement of freedom and Americanism across the world. He has taken a wrecking ball to ironclad alliances with allies. He is doing it at dizzying speed, so that the unthinkable becomes commonplace.

Ten years ago, if a journalist was beheaded like Daniel Pearl, we recoiled, but we sprung into action, so repulsed were we by the sheer savagery. Now its the every day — Obama takes the golf course with a shrug of the shoulders.

Nothing happens for decades and decades happen in a day. The...

Read the whole entry »

     

• Email to a friend • Article Search •