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Comment by l24ztj | Hacker News Reader

Iran sanctions didn't start with Trump. But you already knew that. The US has been choking Cuba for decades, for example.

Also, immoral/unjustified != illegal.

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The specific sanctions mentioned in the article did either begin with Trump, or were revived after previously being dropped as part of the JCPOA.

And while the treatment of Cuba is indeed appalling, or at least incongruous in relation to, say, Saudi Arabia, there are rather meaningful differences between the parties.

Thawing relations with Cuba was among Obama's signature achievements. This included the reopening of Embassies, allowing travel, and vastly increasing legal avenues for trade and investment.

Some (but not all) of this has been delayed or cut back under the current administration. At the same time, Saudi Arabia enjoys unprecedented support and access at a time where they are more hostile in Yemen, Qatar, and The Streisand Lobby at the Istanbul Consulate.

At least in part ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice of the UN:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/03/international-...

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/05/us-rejects-international-cou...

The UN is completely toothless. Whatever they say is as relevant as if it had been said by a local court in Kazakhstan.

The US government action was deemed illegal under the terms of a treaty (in that case the Treaty of Amity of 1955), which the US freely negotiated and entered into and ratified. What is the point of any nation entering into treaties with the US, if it's going to just ignore and violate them at the whim of whoever happens to be president at the time?

As a condition of easing sanctions, Iran filled the rector core of it's active nuclear reactor with concrete and was found to be in compliance with all the terms of the agreement. Good luck getting any other nation to enter into negotiations like that with the US in good faith again.

The Iranian regime is awful. They're appalling extremists and oppressive tyrants. No argument there, but that's on them. It doesn't justify recklessly violating treaties and unilaterally breaking agreements, and establishing a track record of doing so. If anything, demonstrating a track record of honesty and respect for straight dealing is even more important when dealing with such people.

So are you saying it's not illegal, or are you saying there won't be any consequences for this crime?

I am saying it's not illegal because the UN doesn't make law, and I know there will be no consequences for this "crime" because the UN can't enforce anything and no country which is in good terms with the UN will want to piss off the US.

Having said that, I do NOT condone sanctions in any form.

This is of course true, as law enforcement depends on what is called "the monopoly of violence". And this is of course impossible when dealing with major powers in the current world.

In that sense, it is the US with currently the largest military presence in Europe

Doesn't mean it's legal. Plus the UN is not toothless, it has been very effective at achieving what is was founded for, preventing another world war.

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