The United States stands resolutely with the Government of Colombia, President Duque, and the Colombian people in their efforts to secure the just and lasting peace and security Colombia deserves. We strongly repudiate recent calls by some individuals to abandon the FARC’s commitments under the 2016 peace accord and engage in further terrorism and violence. We also condemn the continued terrorist activities of the ELN and those who enable it and give it safe haven.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today against Adrian Darya 1, an oil tanker transporting 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil ultimately benefitting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). The Adrian Darya 1 is being identified as blocked property pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorism or acts of terrorism. As part of today’s action, the Adrian Darya 1’s captain, Akhilesh Kumar, is also designated pursuant to E.O. 13224.
Today, the Department of the Treasury took action against the Adrian Darya 1, and designated its captain, Kumar Akhilesh for acting for or on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) Shipping Network under E.O. 13224. Since the vessel’s mid-August release from detention in Gibraltar, Kumar Akhilesh has assumed the role of captain. He is now a designated individual and will suffer significant negative consequences. Any who would consider supporting the IRGC should heed this warning.
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss the conflict in Syria and reiterate the Administration’s strong support for the UN’s efforts to end military hostilities as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
“Today, the U.S. sanctioned entities responsible for moving over $1 million worth of proliferation-sensitive electronic parts and aluminum alloys for the Iranian regime. U.S. pressure will continue until the regime changes course.”
– Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Twitter, August 28
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, will travel to Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan, and Lebanon September 4-13 to discuss security and economic issues with government and civil society leaders.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned today Lebanon-based Jammal Trust Bank SAL (Jammal Trust) for supporting Hizballah’s illicit financial and banking activities. Jammal Trust has a longstanding relationship with a key Hizballah financial entity and provides financial services to the Martyrs Foundation and companies controlled by Hizballah’s Executive Council. Jammal Trust’s misconduct undermines the integrity of the Lebanese financial system.
Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Jammal Trust Bank SAL (Jammal Trust), a Lebanon-based financial institution that knowingly facilitates banking activities for Hizballah. Specifically, OFAC designated Jammal Trust as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, Hizballah.
Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary-General Lowcock, thank you both for your briefings. As Secretary of State Pompeo stated in this chamber last week, we appreciate the opportunity to use this Council to confront the complex challenges of the Middle East. There are few places with challenges today greater than those in Syria.
The Department of State announces the opening of the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU), under the leadership of Charge d’Affaires James Story.