Iran denies IRGC links to state oil companySeptember 25, 2012 - 16:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran denied on Tuesday, Sept 25, a claim by the U.S. Treasury that its state oil company is linked to the country's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Reuters reported. The designation, made in a Treasury report to Congress, enables the United States to apply new sanctions on foreign banks dealing with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), one of the world's largest oil exporters. The move is part of a wider net of oil-related sanctions by Washington aimed at forcing Iran to curb the nuclear program which the West says is aimed at developing weapons. Tehran says its nuclear work is purely for peaceful purposes. "We strongly deny these false allegations," said Alireza Nikzad-Rahbar, a spokesman for Iran's Oil Ministry. The IRGC, Iran's elite military force, has long been under US sanctions for what it defines as terrorism and human rights abuses. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |