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Subscribe to RSSLONDON -- Western intelligence has begun to detect tension within the Iranian regime over the country’s nuclear program, officials told NBC News on Friday.
Even so, the European Union on Friday provisionally approved substantial new economic sanctions against Tehran.
The new sanctions will have to be formally approved on Monday at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg before coming into effect.
The sanctions, aimed at trying to change policy in Tehran, will target areas such as shipping, banking and trade in parts that could be used to build a nuclear weapon. Measures already in place include an oil embargo that is causing serious economic woes and leading to protests on the streets.
Tehran denies its nuclear work has any military intentions and says it wants nuclear power for electricity supplies and medical needs.
Despite stalled talks between Iran and a six-country alliance of Western powers, including the United States, a Western diplomatic source said contact with Iranian officials has been sustained consistently, including during the months since the summer.
Western official: 'Tension within the Iranian regime'
The official told NBC News there are some signs of “tension within the Iranian regime” over the issue.
"We’ve picked up some small signs of wavering on the nuclear policy," the official, who did not want to be named, said. "But I don’t want to exaggerate it."
He added that so far there is “no sign Iran is prepared to move” making renewed sanctions necessary.
Any change in policy from either side is only likely to emerge after the U.S. presidential election: If Iran is prepared to negotiate, it will want to know whether it is talking to an Obama administration or a Romney administration.
The United States has so far led the way on sanctions against Iran.
Even so, in Thursday’s vice presidential debate, Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, accused the Obama administration of not doing enough. Ryan warned that Iran is “moving faster toward a nuclear weapon.”
Complete Middle East & North African coverage on NBCNews.com
He warned that if Iran is able to attain nuclear weapons it could “trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.”
In this assertion, Ryan appeared closer to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who dramatically told the United Nations in September that Israel was drawing a “red line” for Iran’s nuclear program and claimed the country could be on the brink of a nuclear weapon in less than a year.
In an attempt to convey what he sees as a threat to Israel's existence, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a cartoon to illustrate how close he says Iran is to developing a nuclear weapon. In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly he asked the world to help stop them. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
With Iran issue simmering, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu calls early elections
EU steps up pressure
On Friday, the Western official said the chief purpose of the sanctions is to “slow down Iran’s nuclear program” and that the aim is not to target the Iranian people.
The trade and finance measures mark a major step-up of European pressure on Tehran, amid growing concerns over its nuclear program, foundering diplomacy and threats of attack on Iranian installations by Israel.
The EU is also targeting Iran's shipping industry, in an effort to curb Tehran's ability to sell oil to obtain funds and hard currency. It banned imports of Iranian oil earlier this year.
Complete World coverage on NBCNews.com
New measures will ban European companies from providing shipbuilding technology and oil storage capabilities, as well as flagging and classification services to Iranian tankers.
At schools, in shops, and on the streets of big cities and small towns, daily life plays out in Iran.
But some worry that whatever the intent, the effect is a dramatic cut in living standards for ordinary Iranians that may inflame anger against the West and fuel Iranian defiance.
In a speech broadcast on state television on Wednesday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei labeled the sanctions "barbaric."
Reuters contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Pakistan: 3 arrested over teen peace activist shooting
- Seven British marines arrested in Afghanistan murder probe
- Hezbollah admits launching drone over Israel
- Indonesia's Bali recalls horror of bombs 10 years on
- Tunisian magazine teaches children how to build a Molotov cocktail
- Video: Australian PM launches attack on ‘sexist’ opponent
Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
Must have been Biden's, smiling, laughing, sneering, interrupting, during the VP debate! Because Obama leads from behind! USB is dead,by Navy SEALs, GM is building new manufacturing plants in China! And Ambassador Stevens died, and Obama lied. U-betcha!
I do not know why Obama has waited so long to push for stronger sanctions. If they had gone directly to the most severe sanctions they would have had a better chance of working. By implementing them piecemeal they have allowed the Iranians a lot of time to continue their nuclear program and to find ways to bypass the sanctions as they are implemented. The oil embargo did not work because they allowed too many ways for the Iranians to get around them by using intermediaries and using their shipping fleet to move and store oil for transshipment. The only reason Obama is finally pushing for the stronger sanctions now is that he thinks he needs to look tough to get more votes in the upcoming election. Obama does not do anything unless the polls tell him that there is some advantage for him in taking the action. A true leader makes the decisions that are necessary, even if they are sometimes unpopular, because he acts in the best interests of the nation and the world. Obama acts only in his own self interests and this is what makes him such a joke and such a poor leader.
You guys do know Obama or any president is not all powerful when enacting sanctions right? He does not have the sole authority or even strong authority to make and enact these sanctions...it takes the approval and participation of the entire international community to make trade and economic sanctions even function.... they are still able to sell oil because not all of their buyers are under the UN umbrella...
It be like blaming the server for the poor quality of food and how it was cooked, doesn't make much since.... stronger sanctions?, what do you suggest we do other than collapse their economy and inflate their currency through the roof? Are you suggesting we take the next step and start another war we can't afford?
But its nice to know that lemmings are still using talking heads for their opinions, just about everyone of them will yell something to the effect of "Obama is leading form behind" like we have the power over all of our allies, or that the president should be on the front line with a assault rifle... They all get their opinions and logic from the same source, if you can debate that one source you can debate them all just by watching their respective source of (mis)information.
LMAO! Risk and JS have no idea about foreign policy, yet they speak as though they are part of the UN. The US has lots of power, sure, but Iran has friends too as the saying goes, "you are my friend if we share the same enemy" something or other. UN has to agree to sanctions and guess who's part of the UN, folks? China and Russia. Russia isn't exactly our ally and not exactly an enemy, but the acquaintance we tip toe around due to a rocky past. If all the countries in the UN gave US all the power, I don't think we'd have very happy global partnership.
That aside, Obama is obviously scared of another war. The last thing he wants is another war. You can call this cowardice, you can call it whatever you want, but he is taking caution. Biden says that we need to GTFO because these people need to start taking care of themselves. Some Americans complain about "wahh why do we have to help other countries? wahh why can't we take care of our own?" then in the same breath say, "we need to be the world police. we have to set the example."
Look, the US doesn't control the world. If on an arms race scale, then yes, we do own the world, but that is NOT what diplomacy is about. People are always putting their damm .02 in when they know NOTHING about other countries, religions and culture. I'll chalk it up to the stereotypical ignorant American, who believes that the world revolves around the US. News flash: it doesn't.
Risk: I generally have stopped commenting on posts like yours -- because it doesn't do any good to bring reality into your discussion, but General Motors building manufacturing plants in China has absolutely nothing to do with Obama or our economy. China is a huge new market for them and it is far more cost effective to build vehicles that would be destined for China, in China, rather than having to ship the vehicles across the Pacific ocean. For the exact same reason that pretty much every Asian car manufacturer has plants within the United States.
It drives me insane when people take about 5% of a story to try and justify their viewpoint.
Let's see, with all the possible sanctions against North Korea and they have already the bomb, really!! do you think only sanctions will deter a nation to get that kind of armament?.
And in any case, what exactly you expect the WhiteHouse to do?, authorize a full scale nuclear launch against a 99.99% innocent iranian people?. Do you want another useless and unjust war in your hands? talking of getting into the business of other nations and interventionism.
Looks like that the tail is wagging the dog again. AIPAC and Israel have won this battle.
Pity that the US and Israel at not so concerned about Pakistan and North Korea.
Typical double standards from the west
our present whitehouse administration is a joke from the top down obama leads from behind and biden reminds me of jeff dunhams dummy walter he is also a follower not a leader our president is doing interviews on tv joking with the boys from the hood and girls too and americans are dying in libya hope he gets voted out come nov we need a real american leader
Given that the sanctions are beginning to work, they don't have a nuclear weapon and all options are on the table should they come close - I'm curious what exactly you would have done differently?
Jack,
bro probably thinks we should have nuked Iran ages ago.
I think the sheyat is about to hit the fan over there from these new sanctions. The Aya-totos response to them was to call them "barbaric" . How ironic.
I see a pattern going on. People are rebelling all over the place over there, Tunisia, Libya, Syria where else?
Maybe the people of Iran are next to rebel and these new sanctions might just put them over the edge. Unless the Russians veto it, again.
We can only hope. That was their desired impact anyway, to force the people's to throw their corrupt Government out while preventing that Government from obtaining the fiscal means of developing a nuclear weapon.
spin spin spin
No, Supreme Leader, what is barbaric is how you treat your people, how you treat your women, executing homosexuals, and the list goes on.
It is obvious iranians are shaking....
Tensions are high; i think what happened was One mullag asked mahmoud how he was, when Mahmoud said he is fine...mullah followed up with "Are you sure?'....
This is definetley a sign of "uncertainity"...
US, EU should just stop being cute about issues...
Freaking isreal has nukes and nobody telling them anything, and instead everybody is trying to stop iran from energy.. Go figure..
Isreal gives up nukes, then iran should stop nuke energy . very simple.
Or Israel gives up nukes, then Iran and Arab states rejoice in the fact that Israel's defenses are lower and attack them. Even simpler.
You would sure love that, but for Israel it would kind of suck, so no chance of that.
You are missing the point.
It is not a US position but an AIPAC decision. And AIPAC runs the US government.
And guys likes Bibi are what i call the tail is wagging the dog. i.e. the US is not making the decisions but AIPAC and Israel.
Israel will (not) fight the Iranians until the last American comes home in a body bag.
Bibi and lunatic cohorts will be the people that will start WW3
Maybe Iran can invest in solar electricity, that they need nuclear power for power generation is pure bull.
Ab Ab, and others still mucking up newsvine stories.Better get to Iran soon so you can die with the Isalmic terrorists when a multi national attack including Muslim and Arabs countries finally finshes off the ayatollahs.AND yes probably with U.N backing.As the inspectors are pushing it..Bye bye Iran´s Islamic Revolution Most of the world will cheer even if some do it silently.Iran for 33 years has been committing terrorist attacks on 6 continents. Their victims are ready for justice !!Let´s hope the Iranian people hang their leaders first,but most of the oppostion is long dead or in exile!So it is very unlikely!
This article says nothing...about nothing...leading up to nothing.
The Iranian people are beginning to demonstrate against their regime because the sanctions thus far are working. The new round of sanctions will cripple the regime to the point that if the regime does not change its policy of allowing verification of their enrichment process, the people will rebel. The Neo-conservatives in Israel and the Republican party are working against that effort by saber rattling that makes them look more and more unelectable. No one wants another war in the Middle East. Quite to the contrary after we neutralize Iran, we need to tackle the issue of disarmament, in Israel,Pakistan, India, North Korea and the rest of the world. The Obama Administration is judiciously pursuing the correct path in the Middle East.
"Saber rattling" is part of the pressure.As for regime change the so-called "neo-cons" are the only ones consistently supporting that policy approach.Either way,the history of the regime shows they're capable of changing course,if enough pressure is applied.Prior to the election of Ahmadinijhad they were more cooperative.But economic sanctions are not enough.The US should -
Make sure Assad falls as quickly as possible,decoupling Syria from Iran.
Increase military and economic ties to the [pro-US anti-Iran] Kurds in N. Iraq upping their influence over Baghdad and pushing Iraq back away from Iran.
Both policies would also increase Turkish influence at the expense of Iran.
With additional pressure at their own borders the mullahs will be much more likely to compromise with both the internal and external opposition.If not,they risk another revolution,one that ends up with their necks adorned by a noose.
Mike - the US should stay the F out of that part of the world, let the EU, Russia, China, Israel deal with it using their own money and people.We are not the world police, North K, Pakistan are all possible powder kegs and they are sitting in China's backyard let them deal with it.
We get squat out of promoting our way of life, screw it.
If we are not the world police, somebody else will take that job, and they just might decide to police us.
This will be the next war....and it won't be pretty (as if any are)...but only if Romney is elected. Whereas war is Obama's LAST resort, Romney will make it his first.....after all...he has no skin (sons) in the game.
Being a child of the 60's...I can't help but recall these words that many rallied around then...and should now.
"What if they gave a war....and nobody came?"
StackDat the only one who won't show will be dead! Happy smoking it was a pipe dream on acid!
What if Romney gave a war and we all joined the Mormons and went to France to save them from pre-marital sex and alcohol?
Wow...and I was sure, absolutely sure, I was the dumbest person out here. I stand corrected.
a) why would Romney make war his first choice?
b) why would Obama make it his last, after showing he too is capable of war
c) Romney has no sons in the military. How many does Obama have?
This non-stop party worship has to end at some point. And strangely enough, these comments come from a 60's hippy who used to believe in 'dropping-out' and having the government leave them alone. The original Tea Party. Now they want the government deciding every aspect of their life. Strange Days indeed.
RTColorado, No you were right the first time And by changing your "mind" you proved it!
That girl looks deprived of food.
She really does. Sanctions are working...or are they?
She appears healthy enough to me, unless of course you subscribe to the "American" ideal that says you have to pack an extra 40 pounds on your fat-ass to be healthy anymore. Most Americans have become the most disgusting lard-butts with over active mouths that spew "malarkey".
I am in my 60's now and remember how active young kids were in my youth. Today you see more pounds on the hoof than ever before, masses of spoiled, over weight kids with parents who don't give a rat about their children or their health.
If Iran gives up nuclear enrichment, all sanctions will have to be removed. At that point, Iran can sell it's gas to India, making the TAPI pipeline obsolete before it becomes operable. Israel will lose out on all those profits and their false flag attack on 9/11 will have been all for nothing.
Maybe we can establish trade relations with Iran and dump our support of Israel. We could make obsene profits and save a ton of money by ending our support of a nation of welfare recipients. Every time we turn around, Israel and her Zionist supporters are knocking at our door for more money and more weapons.
Then Iran will send it's friends with their little childern with bombs straped to them to blow you sorry AZZ up. You can watch them enjoy there 40 virgins, have fun they hate us, don't you get it.
After we abandon Israel, you will see Israelis blowing us up. Oh wait, they already do that in false flag attacks such as 9/11. If we were conducting trade with Iran, they would have no reason to hate us, especially if we cut off aid to Israel. The Israelis ony love us for the money and weapons we provide.
Prominent Israeli military historian, Martin van Creveld, in 2010, said that “Israel
could find itself one day forced to exterminate the European continent using all
kinds of weapons including its nuclear arsenal if it felt its demise neared,”
and stressed that “Israel also considers Europe a hostile target.”
“We have hundreds of nuclear warheads and
missiles that can reach different targets in the heart of the European
continent, including beyond the borders of Rome, the Italian capital,” Creveld
said, adding that most of the European capitals would become preferred targets
for the Israeli air force.
He reiterated “Israel’s ability to destroy the
whole world whenever it felt its existence would be doomed to extinction.”
Destroy the whole world? The Israeli leadership is crazier than the former leader of nazi Germany. Just look at the post of more2bits, they are plain nuts.
RalphH: I definitely agree with you. Why would Israel need nuclear capability? It has proven to be a failed state and its economy is totally a joke. The whole instability in the Middle East is mainly created by Israel, but that's because of its Government, not its existence. I bet the "normal" people of all the countries around don't really hate Jews as individuals, they hate the system that caused them so much death and troubles and displaced them from their owned lands.
Pakistan is a Muslim country which is not really US friendly. Not is it Israel friendly. Russia has been at "covered" war with the US on many soils. Both these countries have nuclear capability. So, what's the real problem with Iran having nuclear capability? Iran never threatened European countries with an attack, nor did they threaten the US. They indeed opposed the US foreign policy in the area which impacted their lives, but they didn't threat the North American continent.
Could it be possible that the ones who are crying the loudest (Israel) have the most interest to pressure all the other countries to follow their "orders" ... or those countries would experience "real terror acts" on thier soil?
Iran's atomic energy chief admits to giving
the IAEA false information
Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, head of the
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, admitted to the London-based al-Hayat
newspaper Thursday that Tehran had fed the nuclear watchdog false information to
protect its nuclear facilities and progress. "Sometimes we made ourselves appear
weak and at other times we reported issues that made us appear strongly than we
really were," he said.
Abbasi estimated that the Iranian nuclear program
would come up again before the Security Council in November and if this step
fails, a US military operation will come after the US presidential
election.
Same anti American, Iranian ahmadinejad lovers posting here.
Ralph - you are right.
Here is what might be going on. Israel would like and did propose a pipe line from Iraq to Israel, that did not fly. They need the oil for energy, fertilizer, plastics etc, they don't have any of their own. They are hoping to go to war with Iran so if they win they can claim the land as the spoils of war....sound familiar. At the very least they hope for a regime change that hopefully will be more friendly to them...so they can get the oil.
The nuclear issue is a red herring.
No, that does not sound familiar.
The only land Israel ever kept after wars had strategic value for self-defense, they had a chance to keep all of Sinai, but passed. They certainly can't expect to claim land in war with Iran, with whom they don't even share any borders.
Ely, under international laws, Israel was not entitled to keep any land. Israel kept Gaza, which is certainly does not have strategic value. The land Israel kept is land they wanted all along, such as Jerusalem.
“Moshe Dayan, the celebrated
commander who, as Defense Minister in 1967, gave the order to conquer the
Golan...[said] many of the firefights with the Syrians were deliberately
provoked by Israel, and the kibbutz residents who pressed the Government to
take the Golan Heights did so less for security than for the farmland...[Dayan
stated] ‘They didn’t even try to hide their greed for the land...We would send
a tractor to plow some area where it wasn’t possible to do anything, in the demilitarized
area, and knew in advance that the Syrians would start to shoot. If they didn’t
shoot, we would tell the tractor to advance further, until in the end the
Syrians would get annoyed and shoot.
And then we would use artillery and
later the air force also, and that’s how it was...The Syrians, on the fourth
day of the war, were not a threat to us.’” The New York Times, May 11, 1997
Dayan kind of shoots your arguement apart, Eli, doesn't he?
Wars today will not be fought from the high ground with howitzers and tanks, they will be fought with missiles and bombs dropped from planes. Most of Israel's neighbors have little to no air power, which is how Israel was able to attack Lebanon with impunity, until they went in on the ground. In the air, Israeli pilots few more than 12,000 air attacks and dropped up to 4 million cluster bombs. Lebanon had no ability to bring down even one F16.
Israel intends to make them understand the true meaning of the holocaust that they deny exists by giving them one of their own to remember on the upcoming anniversary of Kristallnacht 2012. After that date Iran will be clearly visible from space at a distance of several astronomical units.
Israel isn't going to do anything. They are fully aware that they will not be able to stop all the missiles that will be coming there way. Plus this will give the Arabs in Israel cover to exact revenge for the land and homes they stole. There will be a Kristalinacht 2012 all over Europe. What are you waiting for Nut -tan -yahoo.
Actually, Israeli Arabs have much nicer lifestyle than most Arabs worldwide. That's why most of them will be ready to fight alongside Jews, to protect the lands and homes that other Arabs want to steal from them.
The sanctions, aimed at trying to change policy in Tehran, will target trade in parts that could be used to build a nuclear weapon. <~~~ They will just be shipped via camel from Pakistan.
To fully understand Iran's nuclear intentions, it will be helpful to know that Tehran and the ayatollah consider removing Israel from the face of the earth a 'medical' endeavor.
Government borrowing and spending is the biggest threat to national security.
Small signs? Really?
So far eerything from Isreal to abortion to persecuting gays has gotten in this discussion. Did anyone actually read this article or all you all so attention starved that you're willing to type anything?
"you all so attention starved that you're willing to type anything?"
Perfectly noticed. they just read the headline, then go after Israel.
protests in the streets? Last time that happened, Obama didnt say anything to give them support. Maybe this time he will give a shout on and encourage them? Doubt it. That would require him taking a stand.
You people are wasting your time trying to explain to conservatives and neocons that the presidend of the US is not the leader of the free world, They have this mistaken illusion that they are. I call it Bush Syndrom remember the GULF WAR and the coalition of the willing (well paid coalition will I might add) that was the only way the Rebublican party could build a coalition of the willing is by paying bribes. They hate the UN because it wont follow them blindly into their bull crap adventures. Do you really believe R/R could rally the world around the sanctions that are being placed on IRAN (NOT IN A MILLION YEARS), This is what you would have heard. Well if the UN is unwilling to do then we'll go it alone.(and we all have heard this before). And I also believe if Isreal attacks Iran the US will be on it own because the Europeans no history these people have been fighting this same war for 1000 of years not a fight worth fighting because it will never end.
delos
The President has been called the Leader of the Free World since 1948 or so.
Joe Biden's response to a nuclear Iran? Let 'em enrich
all the U235 they want, they still don't have any way to
deliver a bomb. Hell, a 70 year old German V1 could carry
a nuclear payload and reach Tel Aviv from a battleship.
Somebody tell that old fool they just shot down a
Hezbollah drone over Israel, and you can buy UAVs on
Ebay.
Still got the old VCR flashing 12:00, eh Joe?
Joe Biden ain't got a clue what can be done with today's
technology, and that's the problem with having a Sears
catalogue Vice President in an Internet world.
Increase his meds and put him back in the home, you're
done Joe.
Oh yea and you are so much smarter. The Iranians know quite well that to launch an attack much less a nuclear attack on Israel would be their undoing, they would get no support even form their allies. Iran is far less dangerous than North K but you don't see South K or us attacking them.
It is all posturing but just the same I don't see anyone putting up a stink about Israel's nuclear weapons.
That's because Israelis are not threatening anyone with nukes, nor are they breaking any agreements by having them.
As for North Korea, South Korea does keep calling for their nukes to be taken away, media just cover them as much as they do Israel, for some reason.
Jerry, you better get off your meds. Iran does not have a bomb and they do not have anything remotely capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. All 16 US intelligence agencies have concluded Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program.
January
2011: When Meir Dagan steps down as director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, he
says that Iran would not be able to produce a nuclear weapon until 2015.
"Israel should not hasten to attack Iran, doing so only when the sword is
upon its neck," Mr. Dagan warned. Later he said that attacking Iran would
be "a stupid idea.... The regional challenge that Israel would face would
be impossible."
February
2011: National intelligence director James Clapper affirms in testimony before
Congress that “Iran is keeping the option open to develop nuclear weapons in
part by developing various nuclear capabilities and better position it to
produce such weapons, should it choose to do so," Mr. Clapper said.
"We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear
weapons."
In a recent interview with CNN, Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey said
he believed the Iranian regime was a "rational actor" when it comes to the nuclear program. Dempsey said Iran would likely weigh the
ultimate costs and benefits of building a nuclear weapon before doing so. James
Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, recently told a Senate panel
that a decision had not yet been made by the regime in Tehran.
So, what do you know that our professionals don't know. Here is what Netanyahu had to say in 1992.
'1992:'Israeli parliamentarian Benjamin Netanyahu tells his
colleagues that Iran is 3 to 5 years from being able to produce a nuclear
weapon – and that the threat had to be "uprooted by an international front
headed by the US"'.
This shows he has been crying wolf for 20 years and still Iran is years away from a bomb, if they ever decide to build one.
No more wars for Israel.
the idiot who wrote the article for nbc didnot know many facts Ryan lied in regards to the saction and the conversation that clinton and obama had bringing europe and Russia on board ryan wants to startwars like Iraq he and mitt wont be sending their sons.simmons schould resign as a reporter
I, for one, am tired of minute-by-minute reports on Iran and their nuke program. This is not a developing news, it is just meant to re-dirert attention during these pre-election days that is not going very well for Obama.
Where are these new power plants, where is the new power grid for all this new electricty? Nuclear power plants only need 3% to 5% enriched uranium, not 20% or higher.
Please explain that to the ignorants and the bigots who don't understand it, specially the part on power grids. Iran has NO plans building any. Thanks.
Iran should go nuclear to provide a check and balance against the bellicose of the zionist rogue state.
Those condenming Iran from going nuclear yet openly support israel's stockpile of over 200 nuclear warhead exhibit hypocracy and double standard.
Don't tell us Iran threatens to wipe israel off the map. Iran never said such but rather suggested zionism should be wiped off which most of the world agree. Iran has never threatened others and waged war in the past 200 years.
The world is more at ease with Iran goes nuclear.
We cant afford to be the worlds policeman. Sanctions are working. Obama is right to lead from behind. Let the neighbors take care of their bad neighbor if it comes to that. I certainly dont want the draft dodging Romney sending my kids and grandkids off to fight another GOP war. He never serves and not one of hid 5 boys served. If Irans neighbors want to pay for our assistance by all means we can destroy the Revolutionary Guard with hundreds of cruise missiles and use drones to take out specific targets. Let the neighbors occupy Iran and have a war of attrition. The Saudi's have plenty of petrodollars and can afford to pay for our protection.
Same old same old, nearing US elections, Iran attempts to be seen as getting in step with the world. Ready to shift strategy direction to be ready for what ever party is in charge. If Democratic party wins Iran remains openly defiant. If Republicans win they will be seemingly willing to compromise, never really making or meeting a final day of compromise, quietly being defiant.
Why would a country with that much oil need nuclear energy for electrical generation to begin with? Isotopes for medical needs I understand but their excuse of power needs is usual Persian BS. Burn some oil for power!. I lived with these people in the late '70s and can tell you these are the best negotiators in the world. They (like Sadam H. did) would love to pull us into a confrontation where-in we find ourselves embarassed in front of the world when it's discovered they have no nuclear fissionable material, device or delivery abilities to begin with. They love to appear weak, strong or whatever else in order to acheive whatever they wish the world to see. They live this in their lives daily as part of just being Persion. Street negotiators as I see it and dam (sic) good at it. They will drag out negotiations with world nuclear investigators as long as possible just to frustrate them.