Clinton calls for tough sanctions against Iran
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday said the United States will work for tough sanctions against Iran, in an effort to prevent the Islamic Republic from getting nuclear weapons.
In a speech to a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, Clinton stressed that the United States and Israel have a common interest in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
“Elements in Iran’s government have become a menace, both to their own people and in the region,” Clinton said. “Iran’s president foments anti-Semitism, denies the Holocaust, threatens to destroy Israel, even denies that 9/11 was an attack.”
“In addition to threatening Israel, a nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its terrorist clientele and would spark an arms race that could destabilize the region. This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to the United States. It is unacceptable to Israel. It is unacceptable to the region and the international community.
“So let me be very clear: The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” she said.
Over the weekend, President Obama used the Iranian New Year to reach out to the Iranian people, reassuring them that the United States wanted to expand peaceful contacts such as educational and cultural exchanges. He also strongly condemned the leadership for seeking a nuclear program.
“We’ve made extensive efforts to reengage with Iran, both through direct communication and working with other partners multilaterally, to send an unmistakable message: Uphold your international obligations,” Clinton said. “And if you do, you will reap the benefits of normal relations. If you do not, you will face increased isolation and painful consequences.”
Clinton’s comments were designed to push the United States campaign to build a coalition for tougher sanctions to force Iran to give up any nuclear arms program.
“Our aim is not incremental sanctions, but sanctions that will bite,” the secretary of State said. “It is taking time to produce these sanctions, and we believe that time is a worthwhile investment for winning the broadest possible support for our efforts. But we will not compromise our commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring these nuclear weapons.”
--Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal
