An opportunity for Iran to reach a diplomatic solution over its nuclear programme is "shrinking", former Massachusetts governor outlined an
aggressive world view in his public statements in Jerusalem on Sunday, as it is little shade between
his policy approach to Iran and the policies President Obama has
pursued in office, although Romney used rhetoric to describe
the Iranian threat.“It is sometimes said that those who are the
most committed to stopping the Iranian regime from securing nuclear
weapons are reckless and provocative and inviting war. The opposite is
true. We are the true peacemakers,” he said.
“Make no mistake, the ayatollahs in Iran are
testing our moral defenses,” Romney said. “They want to know who will
object and who will look the other way. We will not look away nor will
our country ever look away from our passion and commitment to Israel.”
Romney added, “We have a solemn duty and a
moral imperative to deny Iran’s leaders the means to follow through on
their malevolent intentions.”
The security of Israel, he said, “is in the vital national security interest of the United States.”
Romney’s speech occurred hours after one of
his senior foreign policy advisers, Dan Senor, told reporters that
Romney would support Israel’s right to launch a unilateral military
strike against Iran.
“It is an existential threat, and we in the
West partnering with Israel should do everything we can from stopping
Iran from developing that weapons capability,” Senor said. “And if
Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from
developing that capability, the governor would respect that decision.”
Senor stressed that Romney is not “advocating” for military action, but he believes it should be an option.
Romney in Jerusalem said the United States would support
Israel’s efforts to defend itself. But the Republican presidential
hopeful stopped short of asserting that he would support a unilateral
military strike by Israel against Iran to stop Tehran from obtaining
nuclear capability.
“We must not delude ourselves into thinking
that containment is an option,” Romney said. “We must lead the effort to
prevent Iran from building and possessing nuclear weapons capability.
We should employ any and all measures to dissuade the Iranian regime
from its nuclear course, and it is our fervent hope that diplomatic and
economic measures will do so.
“In the final analysis, of course, no option
should be excluded,” Romney continued. “We recognize Israel’s right to
defend itself, and that it is right for America to stand with you.”
US
has announced fresh stiffer sanctions against foreign banks that help
Iran sell its oil. An executive order to this effect has been signed by
President Obama Obama. He said the measure would increase pressure on
Tehran for failing to meet its international nuclear obligations. The
new sanctions target foreign banks that handle transactions for Iranian
oil or handle large transactions from the National Iranian Oil Company
(NIOC) or Naftiran Intertrade Company (NICO). Obama's order also targets China's Bank of Kunlun and Iraq's Elaf Islamic Bank for providing services to Iranian banks. The sanctions will also apply in case of transactions of Iranian oil conducted through through informal means or barter in addition to those by the banks and financial institutions. The executive order also broadens U.S. sanctions on any person or entity engaged in the purchase or acquisition from Iran's petrochemical industry.
Oil and Petrochemical industry account for nearly 80 percent of Iran’s revenues. The new executive order also provides waiver to countries that have cut the purchases of Iranian oil significantly. The fresh sanctions are aimed at measures circumventing the payment mechanisms for Iran oil trade. It follows broadly the US Law on oil trade sanctions in December after which Japan, South Korea, India and China significantly cut their purchases to avoid penalties. The decision came ahead of a vote on new sanctions on Iran in the US House of Representatives expected today.
US and Western nations say the move will exert pressure on Iran to curb its drive to acquire nuclear weapons nuclear ambitions. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Stating that the window of opportunity for Iran to reach a diplomatic solution over its nuclear programme is "shrinking", the US has warned that it has all the options on its table to stop Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons.
"The
policy of this administration has been that there is still a window -- a
shrinking window, but still a window nonetheless -- for a diplomatic
solution to be reached to resolve these concerns about the Iranians'
failure to live up to their international obligations," White House
Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.
"So
we're going to continue to work in coordinated fashion with the
international community, including with the Israelis. We have marched in
lockstep with them, we've been side by side with them as they've
confronted this threat, and will continue to be," Earnest said.
"All options do remain on the table. That's something that we've said all along, that continues to be the case.
But
right now, what we're focused on is taking advantage of this diplomatic
window that remains open to pursue a solution that satisfies the world
community and results in the Iranian regime living up to their
international obligations," he said in response to a question.
Earnest
said when Obama took office in 2009, the international community was
splintered about how to confront the challenge of Iran and their
aspirations for a nuclear weapon, while inside the Islamic republic
there was unanimity among that regime that pursuing a nuclear weapon was
the wisest course of action.
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