This week Dr. Mohammed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will submit another report to the United Nations Security Council on Iran's nuclear program. The report, couched in vague diplomatic parlance, will state that Iran continues to ignore Security Council resolutions, is not allowing IAEA monitors to do their job properly, as it had pledged to, and continues to enrich uranium.

The uranium enrichment facility at Natanz already has 1,600 centrifuges, 1,300 of which are operating well, at least according to the Iranians. This fact shows that Iran's nuclear experts have mastered the technology. Hundreds of additional centrifuges have already been installed and are in trial runs, and hundreds more will be installed soon. According to various calculations, these centrifuges will be able to enrich a "significant amount" of uranium - about 25 kilograms, enough to create an atom bomb - if they operate continually for nine months. It is also possible that somewhere in Iran another secret facility is working to enrich uranium to a higher degree.

Through these acts, Iran is defying the international community and transmitting a clear message: We are determined to continue developing our nuclear program and are thumbing our nose at the world. Iran's leaders know they are playing with fire, and are so sure of themselves that they have stopped using the doublespeak that until recently characterized their ostensible willingness for compromise.

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In the face of the Iranian determination, the international community is not united enough in its opposition to their plot. The Security Council has imposed sanctions on Iran twice before, but these are directed only at organizations and public figures connected with its nuclear and space programs. ElBaradei's new report is to serve as a legal and moral basis for the Security Council to once again impose sanctions. It is essential that this time they up the dosage, striking at Iran's soft underbelly: its economy, especially its outmoded oil industry, which needs funding, equipment and modern technology. The energetic action taken by the United States, and to a lesser degree by Europe, has clearly hurt Iranian banks. The Security Council must adopt, expand and increase this trend to exact a high and painful price from Iran this time.

It seems the world no longer perceives the demand for sanctions as Israeli paranoia, or another manipulation by U.S. President George W. Bush's administration. Widespread agreement now prevails in the U.S. regarding the danger to world peace represented by a nuclearized Iran. Even democratic hopeful Barack Obama, representing liberal circles that opposed the war in Iraq, understands this, as he noted in an interview with Haaretz last week.

Even world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, seem to recognize the obligation incumbent on them to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. It is not too late to stop it, with the help of effective and painful sanctions. But these must be imposed swiftly and firmly. Time is of the essence.