"In the wake of the Geneva talks, we and our allies are determined to maintain and even increase pressure.”
The top US nuclear advisor indicated Friday that his country wanted to continue to increase sanctions on Iran in the coming days in order to prevent the Islamic Republic from “Exploiting” the diplomatic process.
The White House Coordinator for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Counter-terrorism and Arms Control, Gary Samore said additional measures could come before the follow-up meeting next month between Iran, the US and other world powers to direct nuclear talks held this week in Geneva.
“In the wake of the Geneva talks, we and our allies are determined to maintain and even increase pressure,” Samore said while addressing a Foundation for Defense of Democracies conference. “We need to send the message to Iran that sanctions will only increase as Iran avoids serious negotiations and will not be lifted until our concerns are fully addressed.”
He didn’t detail what specific steps are under consideration, but several members of Congress have entered new legislation which would take measures such as limiting Iran’s ability to export crude oil and forcing companies to publicly disclose their dealings with Iran.
On the other hand, Samore agreed that missile defense was a priority, saying: “we have an obligation to put in place an effective missile defense system.”
He also assessed that Iran was having more success with its missile program than its nuclear program, making it a pressing concern.
Iran accuses the West of adopting double standard policy as it confirms that the nuclear program is its right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) while Israel, which is believed to be the sole nuclear power in the Middle East with more than 200 nuclear heads, is not a signatory for this treaty.
The White House Coordinator for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Counter-terrorism and Arms Control, Gary Samore said additional measures could come before the follow-up meeting next month between Iran, the US and other world powers to direct nuclear talks held this week in Geneva.
“In the wake of the Geneva talks, we and our allies are determined to maintain and even increase pressure,” Samore said while addressing a Foundation for Defense of Democracies conference. “We need to send the message to Iran that sanctions will only increase as Iran avoids serious negotiations and will not be lifted until our concerns are fully addressed.”
He didn’t detail what specific steps are under consideration, but several members of Congress have entered new legislation which would take measures such as limiting Iran’s ability to export crude oil and forcing companies to publicly disclose their dealings with Iran.
On the other hand, Samore agreed that missile defense was a priority, saying: “we have an obligation to put in place an effective missile defense system.”
He also assessed that Iran was having more success with its missile program than its nuclear program, making it a pressing concern.
Iran accuses the West of adopting double standard policy as it confirms that the nuclear program is its right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) while Israel, which is believed to be the sole nuclear power in the Middle East with more than 200 nuclear heads, is not a signatory for this treaty.
