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U.S. Officials Believe Iran Sanctions Will Fail, Making Military Action Likely

(Guardian-UK) Chris McGreal - Officials in key parts of the Obama administration - including in the Pentagon and the State Department - are increasingly convinced that sanctions will not deter Tehran from pursuing its nuclear program, and believe that the U.S. will be left with no option but to launch an attack on Iran or watch Israel do so. They believe the principal use of sanctions now is in delaying Israeli military action, as well as reassuring Europe that an attack will only come after other means have been tested. "Sanctions are all we've got to throw at the problem. If they fail then it's hard to see how we don't move to the 'in extremis' option," said an official knowledgeable on Middle East policy. Skepticism about Iranian intent is rooted in Iran's repeated spurning of overtures from successive U.S. presidents from Bill Clinton to Barack Obama, who appealed within weeks of coming to office for "constructive ties" and "mutual respect." American officials are resigned to the fact that the U.S. will be seen in much of the world as a partner in any Israeli assault on Iran - whether or not Washington approved of it. The administration will then have to decide whether to, in the parlance of the U.S. military, "pile on," by using its much greater firepower to finish what Israel starts. "The sanctions are there to pressure Iran and reassure Israel that we are taking this issue seriously," said one official. "The focus is on demonstrating to Israel that this has a chance of working. Israel is skeptical but appreciates the effort. It is willing to give it a go, but how long will it wait?"
2012-02-20 00:00:00
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