U.S. defense chief: Iran faces 'significant' additional sanctions
EU leaders urge global action over Iran nuclear program; report: Iran buying nuclear parts from Taiwan.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Haaretz Service, Agencies Tags: Iran nuclear Israel newsU.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday that he expected the international community to impose significant additional sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
A senior U.S. official said the United States and its allies would decide early next year whether to pursue more sanctions.
Gates also told U.S. troops in northern Iraq that military action against Iran would only delay its nuclear progress and instead urged a package of "incentives and disincentives" to convince leaders in Tehran to meet western demands.
The defense secretary made his comments as European Union leaders meeting in Brussels expressed grave concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions and also warned of new sanctions.
"I think you're going to see some significant additional sanctions imposed by the international community, assuming that the Iranians don't change course and agree to do the things they signed up to do at the beginning of October," Gates said.
He was referring to a deal under which Iran would have transferred stocks of low-enriched uranium abroad, receiving fuel in return to run a reactor producing medical isotopes.
He said Iran was "stiffing" the international community by refusing to implement what was agreed in October.
That "has brought the international community, including the Russians and the Chinese, together in a way that they have not been in terms of significant additional sanctions on the Iranians," he said.
Western powers saw the deal as reducing Iran's scope to divert LEU for potential bomb-making, but Tehran later backed away from it.
In a statement, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the United States echoed the concerns expressed by European leaders and that Washington remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution.
"However, if Iran continues to fail to bring its nuclear program into full compliance with the requirements of the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], there will be consequences and we will be consulting closely with our partners to ensure those consequences are credible," Gibbs said.
The United States, Britain and France warned Iran on Thursday that it may face new sanctions over its nuclear program, but Russia and China hinted that they were not convinced more punitive steps were needed.
The exchange of views during a UN Security Council debate on Iran showed how the Western powers' desire to ratchet up the pressure on a defiant Tehran over its atomic ambitions might face tough resistance from Moscow and Beijing.
The West suspects Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran rejects the allegations, along with UN demands that it suspend a program it says is intended solely for the peaceful generation of electricity.
Western officials say recent revelations about a previously hidden uranium enrichment plant in Iran have made Tehran's denials less credible.
Asked in a meeting with U.S. troops in Kirkuk about using military force to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions, Gates expressed skepticism over whether such action would work.
"Let me just say, you never take any options off the table. But the reality is that any military action would only buy some time, maybe two or three years," he said.
"So at the end of the day the way to avoid a nuclear-armed Iran is to put together a package of incentives and disincentives that persuade the Iranian government that they would actually be less secure with nuclear weapons than if they had them."
He added: "If we learned anything from Iraq over the past six years, it is the inherent unpredictability of war."
A U.S. official traveling with him on a five-day visit to Afghanistan and Iraq said a decision on sanctions would be made early in 2010.
"That's where we're heading," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Gates' plane.
EU leaders: We're 'ready to take the necessary steps' on Iran
A statement approved by the 27 EU leaders at a summit in Brussels warned that, "Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response.
"The European Union stands ready to take the necessary steps," it said, ordering EU foreign ministers to prepare these steps, without elaborating on whether that would mean separate EU sanctions or support for new UN sanctions.
Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, said in Brussels on Friday that, "Now if there is no response from Iran...we have always said in Britain that we are prepared to consider sanctions and that is what we are prepared to do in the new year if we don't have satisfactory responses."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy joined in, saying he was reassured by what he called growing support at the United Nations for new punishment against Iran.
The United States, Britain and France warned Thursday that Iran risks increased sanctions. But Russia - which as a permanent member of the UN Security Council could veto any new measures - reiterated its resistance to sanctions.
World powers trying to craft a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear standoff may meet next week, though no date or venue has been publicly announced.
The U.S. and some of its allies suspect Iran's nuclear program is a cover to secretly develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied it and said the program is geared toward generating electricity.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reported Friday that Iran has reportedly struck a secret deal with Taiwan to purchase equipment which would enable it to produce weapons-grade uranium.
Iranian defense officials have been meeting with Taiwan-based companies with the intention of purchasing hundreds of pressure transducers, The Telegraph reported on Friday.
The Telegraph said that Tehran's Ministry of Defense has been trying for more than a year to buy the transducers, but its requests were refused by European and American companies who feared it would be used for its contentious nuclear program.
Due to this refusal, reported The Telegraph, Iran turned to Taiwan for the deal and has thus far purchased some 100 transducers.
The European-made equipment has been shipped secretly to Iran, said the Telegraph.
UN officials are now probing whether the European companies behind the equipment were properly checking the destination certificates of the transducers.
Tehran is also reportedly trying to negotiate with Taiwan regarding other highly-restricted equipment, according to The Telegraph.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday that Western threats of sanctions on Iran could cause a drastic shift within the already unstable Islamic regime, and could thus cancel out the need for any sort of military action over its contentious nuclear program.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking to soldiers at F.O.B. Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq on Friday. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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This story is by: Natasha Mozgovaya Haaretz Service, Agencies
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I think barry meant war against indescriminate mass murder through suiside by muslem zeals,he also was the first president to CLOSE a mosque, two to be exact, it is the first time this is done om american soil,it sends a signal----- political correctness has its limits.promising sign from Baary obama, wouldn't you say so jon
You're the one that made the exaggerated claim about Israel having 200 nukes, and still haven't revealed your source
Iran's program to produce enough petroleum products to become independent of imports is still far from accomplished. Iran is still dependent on imports from India, China and the Gulf States. So far the government of Iran has been highly successful in turning protests against it into more protesters. The call is for replacement now, not just reform.
because the US caves in to AIPAC orders! America has lost its identity because of israeli LOBBY
Utterly meaningless
In fact, you could say almost a world of difference. And things have changed at the Security Council, too. Even if Russia and China are convinced not to veto, that still isn't going to be enough. Besides no veto from any of the 5 thrones, there also needs to be 9 votes for a resolution.So, besides the three throne votes the US basically gets automatically, it has to scrape up 6 more. And those will take more work than getting the China and Russia not to veto. (and there are a lot of countries with a lot of motivation to ignore the US on this, including some they have to court for support, like Pakistan. There is also the issue of how Iran will react, maybe switching from supporting the US and Canada in Afghanistan to opposing them. Something like that is a lot more effective, in both the short and long terms, than the US sanctions)
# 32. Nonsense ! Israel is a beacon of light unto the nations !
Who's next Syria, Jordan, Eqypt? They've all got the same governments and think equally of Israel's apartheid policies
"to reason with terrorist leaders that force their own people to elect them to presidency." - doesn't know how I live in a nation where the Supreme Court halted the Presidential Election and appointed George W. Bush the winner. What has the Supreme Dictator in Iran done which is different than that? "Sort of like forcing a woman at gunpoint to marry." - ibid So, here in the US conservatives insist that no matter what she wishes, a pregnant woman must be forced to be a mother. "Yet when seen in public these leaders carry a great big smile as if they were actually elected." - ibid Dubbya Bush smirked rather than smiled. America and Iran have had Presidents 'elected' by fraud. So what? We overcame the situation and I think Iran will too. The protests in Iran continued today, though 'doesn't know how' probably doesn't know that. The Bush Junta did itself in. The Supreme Dictator's Junta is doing itself in.
"Taiwan is only free because of the US" - Mark Klein I guess you forget that President Nixon cut Taiwan loose almost 40 years ago and put US support behind 'Red' China's claim to the UN Security Council seat of China. That resulted in Taiwan being evicted from the UN and the United States recognizing Communist China as THE China ever since.
...the greatest gift after life itself is the "free will" every human has. this gift was given us through the real god and not by jehova, jesus or allah. thats why "free will" is going to be making our near future.whatever the ruling circle in israel, usa or europe may plan...it will not come true.not anymore.the project SION has come to it's end and it has failed.may god be with us all.
"Even those not willing to vote for, are not likely to veto." Why would they veto, from where they're standing they aim to kill two birds with one stone.
There is ample historical evidence that the democracies have survived till this period because they or lucky circumstances eliminated the tyrants of the past. The highest vulnerability of Tyranic leaders is their own individual physical fragility which must be used by the democracies to defend themselves, before its too late for a blue-green world.
Taiwan is more of a pariah state now then North Korea in my view. At least Pyongyang is in the UN. We are so sick of the world selling us out to China (including the US who wouldn't let us develop nukes and then told us "sorry, we like China better, but you get Taiwan Relations Act as a consolation prize") that more and more in the population are willing to selling themselves to China. Bottom Line we have no nuclear weapon technology, and if you think the Taiwanese could attach any strings to any deal with Iran you have gotta be born on Pluto. AND a nuclear winter might jus2t be what the doctor ordered to stop climate change. I like Israel and the Palestinians that's why I read Ha'aretz everyday, I don't want to anyone get nuked, although if I had to pick I would select Shanghai and Beijing as targets. Shalom/Salaam.
Why don't we hear something like this? The White House joined European Union leaders in warning ISRAEL that it will face consequences if it does not bring its nuclear program into United Nations compliance.
to reason with terrorist leaders that force their own people to elect them to presidency. Sort of like forcing a woman at gunpoint to marry. Yet when seen in public these leaders carry a great big smile as if they were actually elected.
of the Middle East. The familiar axis of evil versus the moderate axis would change dramatically, and Iran's power and shia imperialism would be curtailed.
The term 'Pressure Transducer' sounds ominous, but if I used a less technical term, pressure sensor, it sounds much less fearsome. A 'transducer' is simply a device that turns an input into an analog electrical output. Ever wonder what makes the oil pressure light come on in your car? A 'pressure transducer." Is every auto parts store in the world a cover for an atomic weapons program? Nope. Look out for lurid headlines which portray the commonplace as part of a sinister conspiracy. I used to joke about 'Issue One Reproducing Medium, Black' which was simply getting a black ball point pen in Air Farce Speak.
will not get Russia nor China to impose any additional sanctions. Articles like this one are just pure nonsense.
The US will definitely chide their allie Taiwan for their participation here. If Taiwan wants to maintain a relationship with the US, it's not going to sell a darn thing to Iran that could be used against us. What kind of allie is Taiwan to engage in such activities?? With warming ties between the US and China, they better walk the fine line or live in poverty.
Sooner or later, however the sooner the better Iran will have to be attacked and its atomic facilities being completely destroyed or disarray for years to come. Israel will be paying by receiving a massive retalation. It might be a tragic but still a necessary price. Th israeli public knows that. As usual the palestinians will be the most damaged part of the equation. They always are. The war between Israel and the Arab countries in 1948 brought them the naqbah.
The change from the days when the Bush Junta prevented any cooperation on Iran is clear. Even those not willing to vote for, are not likely to veto.
Sanctions and political pressure against Iran would have been more effective back in 2001-2003 when the US had the military and economic advantage.
The has become a joke. Sanctions Iran is laughing at the world. It's time to attack the Nuclear sites and let this dictator regimehave a good dose of reality. Otherwise this is the same BS Europe did to appease Hitler.We all saw the results of Chamberlans appeasement. Sanctions are the same thing and only hurts the Iranian people. The mullahs could care less about the people. So what country hass the balls to step up and attack Iran.
Anybody notice that there is an American army of 350,000+ now surrounding iran????? So get ready for a iranian shock and awe war that is very late in coming, but welcome since the day they captured (and released) the USA hostages in the Reagan presidency and since have been conducting themselves as world wide SOB's against all Jewish people and Christians alike. I'm glad iran is encircled and militarily contained despite all the bragging and chest pounding by it's meager president (who led the hostage taking in the 80's) . The USA army is in place, the IDF is ready, just waiting for the right moment to remove the mullahs slavery/theocracy dead man's grip on the iranian population's superstitions! .
The same applies to Brazil who intends to sell Iran raw uranium.
I'm sure Iran is just quaking in their boots. You guys sure sound tough. In a part of the world that only respects brutal strength, you peddle cotton candy.
What is Taiwan trying to do? Is Taiwan trying to add fuel to the conflagration in the region? The sooner China takes over Taiwan the better it will be. The world does not need anymore loose peddlars selling sensitive materials to evil forces.
Go Iran, develop the bomb and bring balance of power to the middle east. This would be the only way for ISRAEL to come to its sense and sigh a real peace with its neighbors..
I think Iran will be surprised.
'Pressure Transducer" sounds so ominous! It must be a rare and threatening thing used only for nuclear weapons production suggests the article. The fact is that a 'pressure transducer' is simply a device that converts a pressure into an analog signal. Like for example the on on your auto which controls your Oil Pressure Light or Gauge. "Pressure Transducers" or Pressure Sensors are very, very common with hundreds of thousands, if not millions of uses. That US and EU firms are observing UN sanctions, while Taiwan isn't, does not make the purchase 'proof' of anything else.
EU ACTION ? Nonsense ! They'll. Jabber,jabber,jabber, Till Iran gets the bomb. You can take one look at Obama & his wonderlul speeches,but in actually achieving anything substantial...........Nada !
cant wait for mark lincoln to tell us all that it's a fabrication, or unimportant, or old news, or put out by the mossad..yatta yatta... fact is, iran is racing ahead towards nukes, everyone knows it (except for lincoln, lol) and unless barry hussein has the will and intelligence to militarily confront this, we are all in the proverbial pickle. but, there's 'HOPE'..if you believe barry...post nobel, it seems like some war is justified..hmm...does that mean hezbollah and hamas are justified? I wonder...who makes the rules for everyone, obama? is he now global president? if you believe robert gates, a preemtive hit on iran's sites only delays it a few yrs...what he DOESN'T say is that the few yrs may be enough to buy time and topple that regime ...I'd say it's worth it ..and anyhow, in a few yrs they can be hit again if need be.
from Taiwan. They are buying American and European made parts THRU Taiwan who is only a pipe to supply the products Europeans and Americans WANT to sell. After all, "biz. is biz" isn't it?
I guess that is proof of a weapons program. In fact, I guess there are millions of nuclear weapons programs going on in Houston if this story is to be credible.
So much for international sanctions,it will not be long before some idiot parks one of these bombs in a European city or the United States.