Sanctions unlikely to slow Iran’s nuclear drive

WASHINGTON: The harshest UN sanctions ordered against Iran so far may fall short in their aim to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear ambitions and secure further transparency, experts warned.

In the short term, the measures will make it more difficult for President Barack Obama and the other international leaders to achieve their goals, said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.

He also expressed doubts for the long-term objectives to persuade Iran to halt uranium enrichment for its suspect nuclear program.

Those votes against the sanctions from Brazil and Turkey will encourage Iran to respond “with more defiance and bluster,” said James Lindsay, senior vice president of the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank.

British diplomats in Washington predicted that it would not be the UN measures that would have a real impact on Iran, but any future sanctions implemented by the European Union, the US or  other countries.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2010.