Engaging Iran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced today that his government will not hold talks with the West over its nuclear program until late August to "punish" world powers for imposing tougher sanctions against the country. “As Tehran continues to insist its nuclear activities are peaceful, the Obama administration recently achieved its long sought goal of wrangling international support for tougher sanctions against Iran,” says Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society’s Director of Policy Studies. “The U.N. Security Council this month passed a resolution to impose new sanctions that call for an asset freeze of dozens of companies and organizations, including those linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, involved in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. The problem is Tehran has demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt to such sanctions, and no one seriously believes that these new U.N. penalties, coupled with other unilateral measures pursued by the U.S. and Europe to target Iran’s investment sector, will put an end to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, CIA Director Leon Panetta revealed that the agency thinks Iran has enough low-enriched uranium now for two weapons, but that it likely would take two years to build the bombs. Now that the Obama administration can declare a hard won victory on the sanctions front, it should quickly move from coercion mode to engagement mode by pursuing a broader strategic dialogue with Tehran that brings in regional security issues, including Afghanistan.”
Suzanne, who is based in New York, directs the Asia Society’s Iran Initiative. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].