For many Iranians, President Obama’s Norooz message to Iran seemed to indicate a more conciliatory approach towards the Islamic Republic. In his address, he said he was committed to diplomacy with Iran that “will not be advanced by threats.” Though many may take this as a hopeful sign that the US rhetoric will tone down in the upcoming months, these hopes have not seen the corresponding results. Just last week, new anti-Iran legislation, fully supported by the White House, was introduced in Congress. If approved, it would impose harsh new sanctions on Iran by restricting its gasoline imports – a move that would cripple Iran’s already faltering economy. The Obama Administration and its allies in Congress are likely to use these sanctions as the next step in punishing Iran for its nuclear program.
It is unlikely that these new sanctions would prove successful in persuading the Iranian leadership to abandon its nuclear program. Previous sanctions have failed, and although members of Congress seem to think that the new legislation will allow Iranians to choose between their economic welfare and their country’s nuclear program, there is little historical evidence leading one to believe that economic sanctions are an effective method of altering a regime’s behavior (take Cuba, South Africa, Iraq, et. cetera). Rather than encourage domestic opposition to the Iranian nuclear program, the sanctions could have the opposite effect and may end up uniting Iranians against the United States and its agenda in the region.
Finally, I should mention that the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a neoconservative think tank with close ties to the Israeli right wing, is actively lobbying in favor of these sanctions. In order to thwart their efforts and in order to prevent a future crisis with Iran, it is of paramount importance that these sanctions be resoundingly rejected as policy options. It is essential that Congress defeat the proposal, as it would do nothing more than increase the economic difficulties facing the Iranian people and further poison Iran’s relationship with both the United States and the West.
We should join J Street’s campaign to notify our members of Congress of our opposition to further sanctions. Here’s the link: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2747/t/3251/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2723
