Are economic sanctions forceful enough to bring Iran to the negotiating table?
Nations across the globe are increasingly worried about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as CIA chief Leon Panetta says Iran has enough low-enriched uranium to produce two bombs, even though speculation persists that Tehran’s nuclear program is “being undermined by sabotage… or the incompetence of the regime’s scientists.” There is no common agreement on how dangerous Iran’s nuclear programs are, neither is there a common agreement on which is the most appropriate set of actions to take. Council on Foreign Relation’s Meghan O’Sullivan warns that behaviors are unlikely to change unless forceful economic pressure is paired with diplomacy. Some believe sanctions can help in restoring talks. Others such as John Limbert, head of the U.S. State Department’s Iran desk, doubts both parties can talk constructively. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen reiterated that military options “remain on the table”.
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