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This is the first time the U.S. Government has ever imposed economic sanctions on the military parts of a foreign government (usually sanctions against foreign military involve much ordnance...and scattered pieces.)  Also sanctioned was Iran's largest bank.

[Treasury Secretary Henry] Paulson and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the penalties together, a recognition that a year-old effort to levy unilateral Treasury sanctions has had far greater effect than the diplomatic channels Rice has pursued with Iran. "Unfortunately the Iranian government continues to spurn our offer of open negotiations, instead threatening peace and security," through its nuclear program and export of ballistic missiles, Rice said, along with what she charged is backing for militants in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

Condoleezza Rice said all the assets of these organizations and individuals would be frozen, immediately, and transactions with them banned.  From Russia, the RIA take...

WASHINGTON, October 25 (RIA Novosti) - The U.S. imposed further sanctions against Iran Thursday, qualifying its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction and its elite arm Qods Force a supporter of terrorism.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, or Pasdaran) was given the task of 'guarding the revolution' (Jimmy Carter's legacy) inside Iran.

"While the Constitution of Iran entrusts the military with guarding Iran's territorial integrity and political independence, it gives the Revolutionary Guard [Pasdaran] the responsibility of guarding the Revolution itself. Established under a decree issued by Khomeini on May 5, 1979, the Pasdaran was intended to guard the Revolution and to assist the ruling clerics in the day-to-day enforcement of the government's Islamic codes and morality."

The IRGC guards against 'corruption' (western influences) and, along with the Baseej, internal dissent.

External to Iran, the Qods (Jerusalem) Force is the segment of the IRGC  known as the 'terrorist' committee, dealing with and training Hizbollah and Islamic Jihadists. These lovelies were deemed responsible for the attack on Karbala, resulting in the kidnapping and execution of four US soldiers.  They are in Iraq, we know they are responsible for many U.S. deaths, both from direct involvement and by  giving away arms, technology and Jihadist encouragement. 

So, more sanctions. What are Iranians going to miss from the U.S.? Well, the military, probably not much. The Iranian state-owned Bank, now, slapping sanctions on that is a bit more troublesome to Iran.

"As awareness of Iran's deceptive behavior has grown, many banks around the world have decided as a matter of prudence and integrity that Iran's business is simply not worth the risk," Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said.

Squeezing a few dollars and euros from Iran's coffers will allow more Rubles to flow.

 

Two like-minded communists soul mates  came out against the sanctions...

"Speaking to CBS Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the Senate's amendment was a huge mistake and warned that recognizing the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization would automatically mean approving a U.S. attack on Iran."

"Russia's President Vladimir Putin said the new U.S. sanctions against Iran were counterproductive. "Why do we need to aggravate the situation, drive it into a deadlock, and threaten with sanctions and military action?" Putin said at a news conference in Lisbon on the eve of an EU-Russia summit. As an example, the Russian leader cited the issue of North Korea's nuclear program, which has virtually been resolved through diplomacy. "Until recently, it seemed impossible to resolve peacefully the problem of North Korea," Putin said. "But we have nearly done it using peaceful means."

Lovely together, aren't they?

Is this another small step towards the eventual military conflict that's looming with Iran and Western Culture? Or will these "harsh" sanctions bring Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs to their knees?

From Chess, one phrase pretty much sums up this move..."When in doubt, push a pawn."