NEWS

U.S. Iran envoy aims to zero Iran oil exports without spike in price

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has been very careful and successful in applying maximum pressure on Iran through sanctions without allowing a spike in the oil price, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters on Wednesday.

Speaking at a briefing, Hook said Washington’s “maximum pressure” strategy was also going to apply to escrow accounts holding Iranian oil revenues. He said an expected increase in oil supply in 2019 will help the United States to ask countries to further reduce their imports of Iranian oil.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-sanctions-iran/u-s-iran-envoy-aims-to-zero-iran-oil-exports-without-spike-in-price-idUSKCN1NC2RO

NEWS

U.S. 'confident' about North Korea talks despite meeting delay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. diplomat Mike Pompeo’s meeting with North Korean officials was postponed over scheduling issues, and talks between the two countries remain in a good place, a State Department spokesman said on Wednesday.

“We’re in a pretty good place right now. We are confident going forward. Scheduling issues can happen, but that’s OK,” Robert Palladino, a State Department spokesman, told reporters.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-meeting/u-s-confident-about-north-korea-talks-despite-meeting-delay-idUSKCN1NC2TG

NEWS

Top Senate Democrat Schumer: Whitaker should recuse himself Russia probe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, who was appointed by President Donald Trump after he fired Jeff Sessions, should recuse himself from oversight of the Russia probe.

“Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general,” Schumer said in a statement.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-sessions-schumer/top-senate-democrat-schumer-whitaker-should-recuse-himself-russia-probe-idUSKCN1NC2SZ